Colombian Government Strengthens Security After Threats to the Palace of Justice

Palace of Justice of Colombia, Aug 2024 Photo: CINJ

August 16, 2024 Hour: 5:54 pm

The Chief Justice has met with police and army to discuss the plan for security reinforcement.

The Colombian Presidency said on Friday that security measures had been increased in the High Courts, after it was reported that a model of the Palace of Justice with war material was found during searches in Ciudad Bolívar.

According to the statement, “the situation is being evaluated since yesterday,” when President Gustavo Petro learned of the case at a security council with the military and police leadership.

The text states that “the National Government has responded promptly to the recent security alert issued by the National Police, which points out possible risks for the Supreme Court of Justice, immediately implementing additional measures to protect this institution”.

The House of Nariño reported that President Gustavo Petro had knowledge of the complaint since Thursday and that immediately coordinated the response with the police and the army, in order to strengthen the security of the area.

🔴 El Gobierno Nacional refuerza la seguridad y protección de las Altas Cortes en respuesta inmediata a la reciente alerta de seguridad emitida por la @PoliciaColombia, que señala posibles riesgos para la Corte Suprema de Justicia. pic.twitter.com/vQ97QZXgue
— Presidencia Colombia 🇨🇴 (@infopresidencia) August 16, 2024

The National Government reinforces the security and protection of the High Courts in immediate response to the recent security alert issued by the Colombian Police
, which points out possible risks for the Supreme Court of Justice.

The statement explains that “among the actions undertaken are the installation of advanced surveillance systems, the provision of anti-explosive equipment, the use of drones for continuous monitoring, and the intervention of specialized units in security”.

Likewise, she explains that “the National Government reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the defense of judicial institutions and the protection of the rule of law in Colombia. We will continue to monitor this situation closely to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to prevent any threat against the Supreme Court and other judicial bodies in the country”.

For the time being, it confirmed that the police have launched a plan to reinforce the Palace of Justice with 45 policemen, a symbolic building since on 6 November 1985 it was occupied by the guerrilla group Movimiento 19 de Abril (M-19) and recovered the following day, after 28 hours of clashes and bombardments by the Army, in an operation that left about a hundred dead and 11 missing.

The group to which the explosives belong is unknown, but the Prosecutor’s Office has already confirmed that it has begun an “investigation and is on the trail of these facts”.

In addition, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who has already met with the police and the army to discuss the plan for strengthening security, confirmed that at present there are no reports that any member of this high authority has received threats.