The ombudswoman of Colombia, Iris Martín, announced this Saturday that the Early Warning System has identified up to 40 threats attributed to FARC dissidents in the days leading up to the second round of the presidential elections.
The country faces elections this Sunday considered among the most polarized in its recent history, with authorities reporting "pressures and armed proselytism" in different areas by terrorist groups.
Martín specified in statements to "RCN Noticias" that this situation "is not widespread," but stressed that it represents "strong pressure" on voters.
"This has been monitored by the Early Warning System (...) We have called on the 33rd Front and the ELN to cease this war that is causing so much pain (...) the use of drones, in the mines, the explosives, the combats, the permanent displacement and the homicide of social leaders have the Catatumbo in crisis," the official clarified.
Economic rewards and military reinforcement to secure the day
To counteract these threats, the Colombian government has launched a plan of economic incentives aimed at preventing irregularities and possible attacks during the vote.
The Executive has set rewards of up to 50 million pesos (about 12,000 euros) for information that facilitates the capture of those responsible for electoral crimes, up to 200 million (about 48,000 euros) for information that thwarts terrorist attacks, and 1,000 million (about 250,000 euros) for clues that contribute to safeguarding the integrity of presidential candidates.
The Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez, indicated on "Caracol Radio" that the main risks detected focus on "voter corruption and attempts to alter the voting order."
In parallel, he confirmed an exceptional deployment of 408,000 members of the security forces throughout the national territory to guard polling stations and main infrastructures.
Call for calm from the Attorney General before the appointment with the polls
The Attorney General of Colombia, Gregorio Eljach, appealed for serenity just hours before the second round, in which the country's next president will be elected, is installed.
As the highest official of the Public Prosecutor's Office, Eljach argued that his "Electoral Peace" strategy has helped consolidate an environment of greater trust among the population.
"Today I address you to tell you that Electoral Peace has been achieving its objectives. 357 days ago we undertook an alliance with the Comptroller's Office and the Registry Office, and also with the most important sectors of society, which restored confidence to Colombians in their democracy," Eljach argued at a press conference.
At the same time, the prosecutor tried to lower the perception of risk surrounding the day, emphasizing that "we can tell all of Colombia and the international community that the conditions are in place for us to have a democratic, safe, transparent, exemplary day in complete peace."
Claudia López, at the center of the controversy for violating electoral law
In the political arena, former presidential candidate Claudia López has generated controversy this Saturday by disseminating a poll of voting intentions in support of the official candidate, Iván Cepeda, contravening current electoral regulations.
The former mayor of Bogotá shared two graphs of voting intention polls on her social media, dated June 5 and June 20, with the aim of boosting support for Cepeda against the far-right candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella.
"In Atlas Intel's tracking for Abelardo de la Espriella's campaign, on June 5 he was 16 points ahead of Iván. Today, June 20, he is only 5 points ahead. That means the street is tied!" López published on her social media.
However, the new Polls Law strictly prohibits the publication of polls since last Sunday, June 14, that is, eight days before election day.
A decisive second round in a climate of strong polarization
Colombia faces the final stage of its presidential elections this Sunday after a campaign marked by the victory in the first round of the far-right Abelardo de la Espriella over the officialist Iván Cepeda and by various controversies, such as the interference of the United States, the political use of the national soccer team's jersey, or the intense prominence of President Gustavo Petro.
All polls place the formula of the Defensores de la Patria movement, led by De la Espriella, at the forefront. De la Espriella presents himself as an "outsider" in Colombian politics and has had to face accusations of alleged links to paramilitary groups during the campaign.
The 41 million Colombians eligible to vote are once again choosing between two completely opposite country projects, in a scenario of clear polarization reflected in the results of the first round in May, when De la Espriella led Cepeda by 660,000 votes, with more than 406,000 blank votes, some 245,000 null ballots, and an abstention of 17 million citizens.