Attempted Assassination of Colombia's President

Colombian law enforcement has arrested a former member of the disbanded group known as the "Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia" (FARC), who was identified by the alias Aurelio. He is suspected of orchestrating an assassination attempt on President Ivan Duque, as reported on Saturday by the country's Minister of National Defense, Diego Molano, according to TASS.

"Aurelio, who is responsible for the assassination attempt on the president and the attack on the 30th Brigade in Norte de Santander, was apprehended in an operation carried out by our army in coordination with the Air Force and police," the minister stated in a video message posted on Twitter.

According to Molano, Aurelio is the right-hand man of one of the leaders of Javier Velos Garcia's factions. The Colombian authorities had issued an international warrant for Javier Velos Garcia, known by the alias John Mechas, as he is believed to have issued the order for the assassination attempt.

In mid-June, unidentified individuals detonated two vehicles in the vicinity of a military base in Cucuta, resulting in injuries to 44 individuals. Subsequently, on June 25, unknown assailants fired at a helicopter carrying Duque, Molano, and Minister of the Interior Daniel Palacios. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

Later, the Colombian leadership announced the arrest of 10 suspects involved in the assassination attempt, including retired military personnel who, according to authorities, may be linked to the activities of the former far-left radical group.