Petro claims Ecuador supplies arms used in Cauca attacks

From Bogotá, Colombia – President Gustavo Petro has once again pointed the finger at Ecuador, this time directly accusing Quito of supplying the very weapons and explosives used in the recent deadly attacks on civilians in the Cauca region. This is not just a diplomatic spat; it's a grave accusation that strikes at the heart of regional security and the ongoing peace process in Colombia.

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Las armas con las que matan civiles en el Cauca vienen del Ecuador: municiones y explosivos entran por la frontera

Petro's statements, made via his X account, are particularly pointed, suggesting a direct link between Ecuadorian criminal organizations, such as the Choneros, and the government itself. He implies that this alleged complicity fuels the drug trade, contributing to Ecuador's soaring homicide rates and undermining Colombia's efforts to eradicate illicit crops. For us in Colombia, this narrative is crucial; it frames the escalating violence not just as an internal problem, but as one exacerbated by external factors and potentially corrupt foreign political ties.

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Las armas con las que matan civiles en el Cauca vienen del Ecuador: municiones y explosivos entran por la frontera

The timing of these accusations is also significant, coming just weeks before Colombia's presidential elections on May 31st. Petro explicitly stated that these provocations aim to sabotage the peace program and benefit the right-wing opposition. This perspective suggests a strategic element to the diplomatic friction, portraying Ecuador's alleged actions as a deliberate attempt to destabilize Colombia's political landscape. While Western media might focus on the diplomatic fallout, from Bogotá, this is viewed as a direct assault on our sovereignty and our hard-won peace efforts, potentially orchestrated by forces seeking to profit from continued conflict.

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Las armas con las que matan civiles en el Cauca vienen del Ecuador: municiones y explosivos entran por la frontera