Álvaro Leyva Allegedly Sought Trump’s Support to Oust Petro; Vice President Márquez, Fiscalía, and Criminal Complaint Involved

Colombia is facing a political crisis following revelations that former Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva sought support from U.S. circles close to former President Donald Trump to remove President Gustavo Petro from office. Spanish newspaper El País obtained audio recordings and testimonies indicating that Leyva pursued international pressure to oust Petro and install Vice President Francia Márquez as his replacement. The Colombian government condemned the alleged plot, with President Petro describing it as an "act of barbaric revenge" and demanding that Márquez and Leyva provide public and judicial explanations.

Márquez has denied involvement and requested the Colombian Fiscalía (Attorney General's Office) to investigate the matter. The Fiscalía subsequently opened an inquiry into the alleged conspiracy, with Petro filing a criminal complaint against Leyva for conspiracy, treason, defamation, and incitement to commit crimes. Leyva has publicly denied the accusations, calling the claims "absolutely ridiculous" and accusing Petro of being the real instigator. The controversy has elicited widespread condemnation across Colombia's political spectrum and heightened tensions in the country's political landscape.