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Colombia probes alleged plot to assassinate President Iván Duque | Colombia probes alleged plot to assassinate President Iván Duque |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Colombia has condemned an alleged plot to assassinate its president, and says three Venezuelans have been arrested in connection with the plan. | Colombia has condemned an alleged plot to assassinate its president, and says three Venezuelans have been arrested in connection with the plan. |
Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said there were "credible" plans to target President Iván Duque. | |
Without going into details, Mr Trujillo also said three Venezuelans had been arrested with "weapons of war". | Without going into details, Mr Trujillo also said three Venezuelans had been arrested with "weapons of war". |
Tensions have risen between Colombia and Venezuela in recent months, with mutual expulsion of officials. | Tensions have risen between Colombia and Venezuela in recent months, with mutual expulsion of officials. |
Millions have fled Venezuela's severe economic crisis in recent years, and many of those migrants have crossed into Colombia. | Millions have fled Venezuela's severe economic crisis in recent years, and many of those migrants have crossed into Colombia. |
Mr Duque was elected in August promising to isolate the country diplomatically. | Mr Duque was elected in August promising to isolate the country diplomatically. |
"Intelligence investigations into possible attacks have been going on for several months," Mr Trujillo said in a video message, arguing the arrest of the three Venezuelans "further increases concerns". | "Intelligence investigations into possible attacks have been going on for several months," Mr Trujillo said in a video message, arguing the arrest of the three Venezuelans "further increases concerns". |
Police and military sources in Colombia reportedly told Reuters news agency that three Venezuelan men were arrested earlier in December, two of whom were armed with rifles. | Police and military sources in Colombia reportedly told Reuters news agency that three Venezuelan men were arrested earlier in December, two of whom were armed with rifles. |
President Duque has called on countries to not recognize Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro after his contentious re-election in May, and dubbed the leader a "dictator". | President Duque has called on countries to not recognize Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro after his contentious re-election in May, and dubbed the leader a "dictator". |
But Mr Maduro alleges that Colombia and the US have plotted to kill him and topple his government. | But Mr Maduro alleges that Colombia and the US have plotted to kill him and topple his government. |
The Venezuelan leader recently claimed US National Security Adviser John Bolton was personally involved in the assassination plan. | The Venezuelan leader recently claimed US National Security Adviser John Bolton was personally involved in the assassination plan. |
The arrival of Russian long-range bombers in Venezuela has further increased tensions in the region. | The arrival of Russian long-range bombers in Venezuela has further increased tensions in the region. |
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Russian bombers' visit amounted to "two corrupt governments squandering public funds". | US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Russian bombers' visit amounted to "two corrupt governments squandering public funds". |
But Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said they were part of air force exercises with its Russian allies: "This we are going to do with our friends, because we have friends in the world who defend respectful, balanced relations." | But Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said they were part of air force exercises with its Russian allies: "This we are going to do with our friends, because we have friends in the world who defend respectful, balanced relations." |
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