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2 clusters · 4 sources · 4 days · First seen · Last updated

Colombia UNP protection controversy

Overview

In late July 2026, President‑elect Abelardo de la Espriella named lawyer and former mayoral candidate Didier Blanco as director of the Unidad Nacional de Protección (UNP), the agency charged with safeguarding journalists, human‑rights defenders and former combatants. Blanco’s prior online insults toward media outlets and left‑wing figures sparked immediate backlash from journalists, former officials and members of Congress, who questioned his ability to oversee an impartial protection program.

A few days later, the UNP ordered former Representative Miguel Polo to surrender his personal security detail after leaving Congress. Polo warned that any threat to his life would be the responsibility of President Gustavo Petro and UNP director Augusto Rodríguez. The decision reignited debate over how protection schemes are allocated, highlighting concerns that security details have become status symbols for politicians while vulnerable social leaders receive minimal support, and drawing attention to the agency’s rising budget and deficit.

Entities

Gustavo Petro · Miguel Polo · Unidad Nacional de Protección · Daniel Briceño · Augusto Rodríguez

Timeline

  1. 20 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Colombia's UNP Removes Protection from Ex‑Congressman Miguel Polo Amid Debate Over Security Schemes

    Colombia's UNP stripped ex‑congressman Miguel Polo of his security detail, sparking debate over protection schemes as Representative Daniel Briceño rejects his own, highlighting spending disparities and budget‑

  2. 23 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Colombia's New UNP Director Faces Backlash Over Journalist Protection

    Didier Blanco, a former influencer who posted insults toward journalists and leftists, was named director of Colombia's Unidad Nacional de Protección, prompting criticism over his impartiality in guarding at‑r​

Sources

diariodelhuila.com · lalenguacaribe.co · laotraverdad.co · revistacorrientes.com