Democracy in Colombia is threatened by organized gangs that intend to influence the next electoral content, the Colombian Ombudsman, Carlos Camargo, denounced on Monday. "Our democracy is under threat from armed groups," Camargo said when speaking at the National Security Summit for the Territories held in Bogotá, where he assured that organized crime gangs are using violence to participate in the upcoming elections.
According to Camargo, the departmental leaders feel alone and at the mercy of armed groups that put the Colombian electoral system at risk. "To confront strengthened armed groups, strengthened regional governments are required. We need strong local governments," he said.
The attorney for Colombia, Margarita Caballero Blanco, also denounced with concern the different situations that have been occurring in the country caused by practices such as illegal mining, illicit crops, and drug trafficking.
He expressed that immediate action is needed from government institutions against armed groups and criminal gangs, which are financed by illegal economies. These economies led in the Colombian territory could reach 300,000 hectares by the end of this year.
"The enemy is not in the authorities or in the State entities, it is not in the institutions, do not look for it out there, it is not there, let's not waste time. We are in a moment in the country that we need to look for the enemy that is from the other side and unite all of us to deliver peace of mind", he highlighted.
The official highlighted the imminent need to obtain a greater institutional presence in the territory, where problems can be observed first-hand, such as security alerts towards democracy, social representativeness, and political participation in the upcoming elections.
The regional elections will be on October 29, in which the regional representatives for Mayors, Governors, Municipal Councils, and Departmental Assemblies will be elected.
