According to a statement issued by the agency, no political, ideological, or electoral difference can justify calls for actions targeting entire communities or the stigmatization of populations based on how they exercised their right to vote.

  “Designating territories as military targets due to their democratic choices constitutes rhetoric incompatible with the Social and Democratic State governed by the Rule of Law; it disregards human dignity and endangers the lives, physical integrity, and safety of millions of Colombians,” the agency noted.

  It stated that the publicly reported remarks could amount to serious—and potentially criminal—conduct that must be evaluated by competent authorities; this includes possible acts of incitement to commit a crime, collective threats, harassment, or conduct associated with discrimination and political violence.

  “The immunity derived from holding an elected office does not constitute authorization to promote hate speech, territorial profiling, or incitement to attacks against the civilian population,” the Ombudsman’s Office declared.

  “Associating territories and populations with the concept of an ‘enemy’ based on how they voted fuels narratives of exclusion and deepens the social polarization that has caused so much harm to the country,” it emphasized.

  The agency called on Councilman Andres Rodriguez—known as “El Guri”—to retract the statements he made last Tuesday, June 23, at the Medellin City Council.

  It also reported that it had referred a request to the Attorney General’s Office to investigate potential criminal acts committed by the official.

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