Petro maintains that the weapons that kill civilians in southwest Colombia are of Ecuadorian origin

By Brandon Cardozo

Crossed accusations between Colombia and Ecuador

The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has made forceful statements about the situation of violence in the department of Cauca, where recent attacks have been recorded that have left a tragic number of civilians dead. In a message spread through his social networks, Petro stated that “the weapons used to kill civilians in Cauca come from Ecuador,” pointing out that the ammunition and explosives used in these violent acts enter the country through the border. This statement, although serious, was not supported with concrete data.

The situation in Cauca has generated a climate of tension in the country, especially in the context of the upcoming presidential elections. Petro has linked these attacks to an alleged attempt to “sabotage the elections so that the extreme right wins.” In this sense, he mentioned that certain political sectors in Colombia, in complicity with actors in Ecuador, would be orchestrating a strategy to favor the candidate of the Democratic Center, Paloma Valencia, who represents the most conservative opposition.

The Colombian president also referred to the accusations he has received about his alleged links with criminal gangs. “They made fun of connections between the Los Choneros gang from northern Ecuador led by alias ‘Fito’, and the Noboa Government,” said Petro, in clear reference to his Ecuadorian counterpart, Daniel Noboa. This relationship between both presidents has been marked by tensions, especially after Noboa's accusations about an alleged meeting between Petro and the Ecuadorian drug trafficker José Aldofo Macías Villamar, known as 'Fito'.

Petro has insisted that it is Ecuadorian politicians who have connections with drug trafficking and who use the situation in Colombia to divert attention from their own internal problems. In his speech, the Colombian president stressed that the “link between politics, power and drug trafficking” in Ecuador has contributed to the neighboring country becoming the largest exporter of cocaine in the world, with a homicide rate that doubles that of Colombia.

The president has also indicated that the Colombian extreme right and certain sectors in Ecuador seek to dismantle the peace process in Colombia, which has been a significant effort to reduce violence and eradicate illicit economies in the south of the country. According to Petro, Ecuador is sabotaging this peace program, which has led to an increase in violence and the explosion of drug laboratories, resulting in the death of civilians.

In his message, Petro did not skimp on warnings about the consequences of this sabotage. He stated that there is a coordinated effort to “militarily harass” and escalate the conflict in Colombia, which could have a direct impact on the electoral process. “In Colombia they have demanded extraditions of those who make peace, forgetting that I have extradited 800 people, including 15 Ecuadorians,” he emphasized, suggesting that there is an interest in destabilizing the country at a critical moment.

The climate of uncertainty in the region is aggravated by the lack of trust between the governments of Colombia and Ecuador. Mutual accusations and political tension have led to an increase in anger among citizens, who observe with concern how violence and drug trafficking continue to mark the political agenda in both countries.

In this context, the situation in Cauca becomes a reflection of the broader problems facing Colombia, where violence and drug trafficking remain persistent challenges. The relationship with Ecuador, a country that shares a long border and multiple economic and social interests, is further complicated by accusations and mistrust between the leaders of both countries.

The international community is also watching these events closely, since stability in Colombia has repercussions throughout the region. The fight against drug trafficking and the violence associated with this phenomenon are issues that transcend borders and require effective cooperation between nations.

Meanwhile, ordinary citizens continue to deal with the consequences of this violence, which affects their daily lives and safety. Political and social uncertainty is felt in the streets, where the desire for peace and stability is palpable, but so is frustration at the lack of effective solutions.

President Petro has made it clear that the situation in Cauca and the accusations towards Ecuador are part of a more complex framework that involves political actors, drug traffickers and the struggle for power in both countries. In the midst of this panorama, the search for peace and security continues to be an urgent challenge for Colombia.

“The weapons they use to kill civilians in Cauca come from Ecuador,” said Petro.