Petro Denounces Disinformation Plot Aimed at Linking Candidate Cepeda to FARC ...

The controversy erupted after the release of an audio recording in which a man, pretending to be a FARC dissident, violently demanded that peasants vote for the ruling coalition. Petro called the act a serious crime against the democratic process and formally asked the judiciary to investigate the full scope of the destabilizing operation.

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However, preliminary investigations by the National Police and the Defense Ministry quickly ruled out any connection between the audio and active illegal armed groups. Authorities confirmed that the recording was made and sent from a prison in Tolima by a common inmate engaged in telephone extortion.

Candidate Iván Cepeda, who leads voter preference polls, categorically rejected the accusations and condemned all forms of illegal pressure on voters. He clarified that his political movement does not tolerate support from criminal structures of any kind.

The “Hondurasgate” affair referenced by Petro gained international attention after leaked recordings showed right‑wing political figures — including the convicted criminal and recently pardoned former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández — discussing plans for propaganda campaigns. According to those claims, the disinformation strategy received external financing from actors such as Washington and Tel Aviv to create negative opinion campaigns aimed at fracturing left‑wing forces in the region, such as Claudia Sheinbaum and Gustavo Petro.

Colombian authorities confirmed that security plans for the upcoming general election remain active in key departments to prevent disruptions to public order. Petro’s government has insisted it will provide all necessary institutional guarantees to safeguard the transparency of the vote and citizens’ free expression.

Author: Victor Miranda