A helicopter carrying Colombian president Ivan Duque has been hit by gunfire close to the Venezuelan border.
Duque was on board the helicopter alongside other officials – defence minister Diego Molano, interior minister Daniel Palacios and governor of Norte de Santander Silvano Serrano – when multiple bullets hit.
Images and videos of the terrifying moments when the bullets were hitting the helicopter have since surfaced on social media. In the clips, the sound of the bullets is audible.
“I want to inform the country that after fulfilling a commitment in Sardinata in Catatumbo, approaching the city of Cucuta, the presidential helicopter was the victim of an attack,” the president said in a statement on Friday.
Duque added that it was only the equipment and capabilities of the helicopter itself that “prevented something lethal from happening” while condemning those responsible as “cowardly”.
Where was Duque going when the attack happened?
It has been reported that six bullets his the aircraft’s fuselage as it took the president and others from Sardinata to Cucuta.
Was anybody injured in the attack?
Fortunately, everyone on board escaped unscathed and nobody sustained any physical injuries in the attack. Those on board, though, are likely to have suffered incredible scares from the events.
Who was responsible for the attack?
The presidency have released a video showing a number of bullet holes in the helicopter, though they are yet to say who they believe were the people behind it.
Colombia is always strong in the face of crime,” Duque‘s statement said. “And our institutions are above any threat.”
The government had investigated possible attacks planned against the president as his presidency began in 2018, though they never came to pass.
