Colombia offers millionaire reward to prevent attacks in elections

The Colombian government announced a reward of R$300,000 to R$1.5 million for information that helps prevent terrorist attacks and attacks against candidates next Sunday (21), when the country holds the second round of presidential elections.

According to the Minister of Defense, Pedro Arnulfo Sanchez, a Comprehensive Electoral Intelligence Center was activated to prevent crimes next Sunday, identifying 90 places that will be permanently monitored.

In a preventive measure, he stated that the government is offering a reward of up to 200 million Colombian pesos (R$300,000) for information that helps prevent terrorist attacks and up to 1 billion Colombian pesos (R$1.5 million) for data that helps protect presidential candidates.

According to the Colombian government, 408 thousand soldiers and police will be mobilized on election day, both on the streets and in online monitoring.

More than 21 million Colombians are expected at the polls to choose the country's new president, after a campaign marked by attacks and rallies held under tight security.

In addition to the assassination of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe, in an event in Bogotá last year, Cepeda's vice president, Aída Quilcué, was kidnapped for a few hours and members of De la Espriella's team were murdered.

The right-wing candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, who promises a tough hand against criminal groups, spoke at campaign events behind armored glass. Both he and left-wing government leader Iván Cepeda participated in rallies protected by escorts using folding ballistic shields.

The latest survey by the AtlasIntel institute places De la Espriella with 50.9%, ahead of Cepeda, who appears with 43.1% of voting intentions.

Source: CNN