Álvaro Leyva Sought Trump Allies' Support to Oust Petro; Audio Leak Spurs Investigation and Criminal Lawsuit

Colombia is facing a political crisis following revelations that former Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva sought support from individuals close to former U.S. President Donald Trump to remove President Gustavo Petro from power. Spanish newspaper El País obtained secret audio recordings and testimonies indicating Leyva's efforts to orchestrate an international pressure campaign aimed at ousting Petro and installing Vice President Francia Márquez as his replacement. The Colombian government, including President Petro and Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva's critics, condemned the alleged plot.

Petro described the plan as an "act of barbaric revenge" and demanded public and judicial explanations from Vice President Márquez, who denied involvement and requested a judicial investigation. The Colombian Attorney General's Office has opened an investigation into the matter, with judicial authorities tasked to determine the scope of the recordings. Subsequently, President Petro filed a criminal lawsuit against Leyva, accusing him of conspiracy, treason, defamation, and incitement to commit crimes. The case has drawn widespread attention domestically and internationally, highlighting tensions within Colombia's political landscape and raising concerns about foreign interference in its governance.