Threats Follow Allegations by Former Colombian Foreign Minister

Alvaro Leyva, the former Foreign Minister of Colombia, announced on Tuesday that he has received threats against himself and his family after President Gustavo Petro, who sits on the far left, claimed Leyva is struggling with drug addiction.

Leyva stated that Petro would be held accountable for any harm that might come to him or his relatives.

Assuming office in August 2022, Leyva served as Petro’s inaugural foreign minister until Luis Gilberto Murillo took over in May 2024. He remained in the role until January, after which Laura Saravia succeeded Murillo.

In late April and early May, Leyva published two detailed letters that suggested Petro’s issues with drug addiction were based on his personal knowledge of certain circumstances. He urged the president to consider whether he should continue in his role given these suspicions.

Petro denied Leyva’s allegations and leveled accusations at the former minister, suggesting he was collaborating with others at a “conference” hosted by lawmakers, particularly Mario Diaz Barrato (R-FL), to conspire against him. Diaz Barrato pressed for Petro to seek “expert help” regarding his purported addiction.

In a letter released on Tuesday, Leyva accused Petro of trying to turn him into a “scapegoat” for the situation affecting him and his family. Leyva mentioned receiving threats, alleging that unidentified individuals had made attempts on his safety, implying that efforts were being made to fabricate judicial issues against him.

“What’s alarming is that I’ve been informed about plans that could harm me on both administrative and criminal fronts,” Leyva stated, noting a specific attempt to justify legal actions initiated by the Attorney General against him, which are currently on hold.

He added, “Recently, a judicial police officer reached out to someone close to me asking for information concerning precautions. Yet, I have not been formally informed about any investigations or legal proceedings against me.”

Leyva further claimed that Petro himself had initiated “criminal justice” actions against him due to what he describes as an “imaginary conspiracy” stemming from the president’s own claims regarding Diaz Barrato.

Concluding his letter, Leyva urged legal professionals to uphold constitutional law amidst his apparent persecution and called on international organizations for support. “The international community is watching,” he said, emphasizing that Petro bears personal responsibility for whatever may occur to him or his family.

He continued, “It’s essential to be clear: I won’t be silenced! My life gains purpose if Colombia strives to reclaim its dignity, despite the president’s illness and unpredictable actions.” Leyva lamented that the international perception of Colombia cannot be one of a leader neglecting his responsibilities amidst instability and tyranny.

Lastly, Leyva indicated that he would communicate with Petro again soon. As of the latest updates, Petro had yet to publicly respond to Leyva’s most recent letter.

In his initial letter late in April, Leyva asserted that Petro’s alleged drug issues were evident when he went missing for two days during an unspecified official trip to Paris. In a follow-up letter on May 5, Leyva detailed “embarrassing” incidents attributed to Petro and other leaders, which, according to him, suggested the president’s drug problems.

Among other claims, Leyva noted Petro’s apparent disregard for Chinese President Xi Jinping during a banquet in China, describing Petro as dismissive toward the dictator. He also criticized Petro for causing diplomatic strain with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier during a visit in June and mentioned that efforts to organize a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had been ignored by Petro.

Christian K. Calzo, a Venezuelan writer, focuses on documenting life under socialism.