Colombian President Orders Protection of Media Outlets from Armed Group Threats

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered heightened security measures to protect media outlets after intelligence warnings of potential attacks by the rebel group National Liberation Army (ELN), emphasizing that press freedom is sacred.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered heightened security measures to protect several media institutions in the country, following intelligence warnings of possible attacks by the rebel group National Liberation Army (ELN). The president announced in a post on platform X that he directed security agencies to enhance protection around the headquarters of television networks RCN and Caracol, along with tightening security measures for Semana magazine. He stressed his rejection of threats against journalists, stating that "press freedom is sacred and must be respected," adding that groups he described as linked to terrorism and drug trafficking will not be able to silence the media through threats, intimidation, or violence. According to Bloomberg, de la Espriella attributed the threats to the ELN, one of the most prominent rebel armed groups in Colombia. The president's orders came after media outlets received security warnings about possible attacks on their premises, prompting some to take precautionary measures to protect their staff. Colombian newspaper El Espectador reported that Caracol TV evacuated its headquarters in Bogotá as a precaution on Saturday evening, November 7.