Armando Benedettiformer Minister of the Interior, denounced that the National Protection Unit (UNP) withdrew this Monday October 19 the security scheme that he had assigned for him and his family. The former official questioned the decision and assured that the entity took the measure without resolving the pending legal appeals or carrying out a new risk study.
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“Without the legal remedies having been resolved and without carrying out a new risk study, the withdrawal of the protection scheme for me and my family has just become effective,” Benedetti wrote on his X social network account.
Without the legal remedies having been resolved and without carrying out a new risk study (which two months ago was classified as extraordinary), the withdrawal of the protection scheme for me and my family has just become effective. After my response to the President today, could it be a coincidence? It is not in vain that I said a few minutes ago that I hold him responsible for anything that happens to me or my family.
— Armando Benedetti (@AABenedetti) October 19, 2026
Benedetti assured that his level of risk was extraordinary
The former minister maintained that the withdrawal of protection measures occurred despite the fact that, as he stated, his risk level had recently been evaluated by the authorities. “Two months ago it was classified as extraordinary”he pointed out.
According to Benedetti’s complaint, the decision includes the withdrawal of the bodyguards, the armored vehicles and the protection measures that also protected the members of his family unit.
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The former official also related the decision with the exchange of statements he held with President Abelardo De La Espriella. In his publication, he questioned the coincidence between his response to the president and the execution of the UNP measure.
“After my response today to the president, could it be a coincidence? It was not in vain that I said a few minutes ago that “I hold him responsible for anything that happens to me or my family.”.
Armando Benedetti, Minister of the Interior Photo:Presidency
Another controversy this Monday
President Abelardo De La Espriella and the former Minister of the Interior carried out an exchange of statements this Monday, October 19, after the accusations of Salvatore Mancuso on alleged requests by officials of Gustavo Petro’s Government to former paramilitary commanders to testify against various political figures during the electoral campaign.
As learned by journalist Melquisedec Torres, Mancuso stated that Senior officials from the previous mandate sought former members of the Self-Defense Forces to testify against De la Espriella, former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez and Germán Vargas Lleraswith the purpose of favoring the candidacy of Iván Cepeda.
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“Delegates from Gustavo Petro’s Government asked the former commanders of the Self-Defense Forces to accuse three men to win an election: Álvaro Uribe, Abelardo De La Espriella and Germán Vargas Lleras. None of us accepted,” Mancuso said.
Salvatore Mancuso. Photo:César Melgarejo / El Tiempo
The former paramilitary commander added: “They asked us for something else: to speak publicly against those three people. The answer was only one: no one accepted. There was annoyance on our part and that’s where the match was damaged.”
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After learning of Mancuso’s statements, President Abelardo De La Espriella spoke out on his social network account X and questioned the former Minister of the Interior.
“This is the least serious of all the illegalities that Benedetti has committed. He thinks that because he’s quiet, he’ll sneak past. “Neither forgiveness nor forgetfulness for that criminal who has done so much damage to the country,” the president wrote.
De la Espriella also added: “In the Patria Milagro, justice will give Benedetti what he deserves. Welcome to the Patria Milagro!”
Armando Benedetti and Abelardo De La Espriella Photo:MinInterior / Presidency
How did Armando Benedetti respond?
An hour after the president’s statements, Benedetti responded through his X account and questioned the qualifiers used by the president.
“The president of ALL Colombians, despite being a criminal lawyer, is unaware that only the administration of justice can judge us,” said the former minister.
Benedetti announced legal actions in defense of his good name and held the president responsible for any situation that could affect him or his family.
These cannot be the words of a President of the Republic towards ANY citizen. The president of ALL Colombians, despite being a criminal lawyer, ignores that only the administration of justice can judge us. As always, trusting in justice, I will take legal action in defense of my good name. This is a serious profile and from today I hold you responsible for anything that happens to me or my family. President, if I am silent it is because I am resting but if you want to hear me, I will speak.
— Armando Benedetti (@AABenedetti) October 19, 2026
“This is a profile of serious dimensions and from today I hold him responsible for anything that happens to me or my family.”he pointed out.
Finally, the former minister referred to his public silence and explained that he was resting. “President, if I am silent it is because I am resting, but if you want to hear me, I will speak,” he concluded.
Daniela Gutiérrez Munar
dangut@eltiempo.com
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