Colombian President Ivan Duque said that his helicopter had come under gunfire in the northeastern part of the country.
“I want to inform the country that after I had completed my work in Sardinata and was close to landing in the city of Cucuta, the presidential helicopter came under attack,” Duque said on late Friday, as quoted by his press service.
According to the Noticias Caracol broadcaster, at least six shots were fired at the helicopter but the aircraft was successfully landed by experienced pilots.
Along with Duque, the defense minister, interior minister and the mayor of Cucuta were also on board.
The Argentine Foreign Ministry has condemned the gunfire attack at the helicopter of the Colombian President in the northeastern part of Colombia.
“The Argentine Foreign Ministry voices strong condemnation of the attack at the helicopter with Colombian President Ivan Duque that took place today in the evening and is glad to know that the president is safe,” the ministry said on late Friday.
Later, other Latin American countries joined Argentina to condemn the attack on Duque’s helicopter.
“We voice our solidarity with the Colombian people and their President Ivan Duque after the attack on his helicopter,” Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard wrote on his Twitter page. He also condemned all forms of violence and expressed support for the Colombian democratic institutions.
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei has also expressed solidarity with the Colombian president, while the Peruvian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the attack.
A similar statement has also been made by the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry.
