Colombian President Alleges Assassination Plot by Rebel Leader

President Gustavo Petro of Colombia has alleged that Ivan Mordisco, the leader of the dissident Estado Mayor Central rebel group, is planning his assassination with the aid of a criminal group based in Dubai. Relations have deteriorated since a ceasefire broke down in July.

In a dramatic disclosure, Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Friday accused Ivan Mordisco, the commander of the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) rebel group, of planning his assassination through hired snipers.

The relations between the Colombian government and EMC factions have soured further after the collapse of their ceasefire in July. Petro claimed on social media that Mordisco might have allied with a mysterious 'New Drug Trafficking Board' headquartered in Dubai to orchestrate his assassination.

While Petro did not provide details about the Dubai-based group, intelligence officials have stated they lack any information regarding the alleged plot. The EMC are dissidents from the demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who refused to accept the 2016 peace agreement.

(With inputs from agencies.)