Former Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva next to a US flag. Photo: Mauricio Dueñas Castañeda/EFE/file photo.
Audio recordings and sources close to the White House reveal that Álvaro Leyva, Colombia’s former foreign minister, attempted to coordinate a forced departure of President Gustavo Petro with Donald Trump’s advisors. The leaks also implicate Vice President Francia Márquez.
Testimonies—published on Sunday, June 29, by the Spanish newspaper El País—expose Leyva’s attempt to coordinate with Republican figures in the United States to oust Petro.
The recordings, held by Colombian intelligence, detail meetings with Donald Trump’s advisors, unsubstantiated accusations against Petro and a plan to install Vice President Francia Márquez in his place.
According to sources, Leyva—who was one of Petro’s most trusted allies—traveled to Washington in April to seek complicity among sectors close to the former US president. His objective: to generate “international pressure” justifying the ousting of Colombia’s first leftist government.
The strategy would include spreading drug addiction accusations against Petro and negotiating with armed groups to destabilize the country.
The audio recordings show Leyva claiming to have “evidence” disqualifying Petro from office. The conversations reportedly occurred alongside the former foreign minister’s social media posts alleging the Colombian president’s addiction problems, which he said led to detrimental decisions. Leyva publicly asked Petro to step aside.
The released material shows conversations mentioning key figures, from Sen. Marco Rubio to journalist Vicky Dávila. It also reveals contacts with Florida Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, a Trump ally, and suggests including Miguel Uribe—the opposition Democratic Center party leader who was shot June 7 and remains in critical condition—in the plan.
Francia Márquez
Testimonies leaked by Colombian intelligence also implicate Vice President Francia Márquez. Leyva claims in recordings that the vice president was “involved” in the strategy, citing private messages where she promised “firmness” for March 31, Leyva’s chosen date to depose Petro. According to El País, Petro confronted Márquez after receiving the leak and demanded a public denial, which she refused.
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This Sunday, following the publication by El País, Márquez posted a social media letter stating she has “a clear conscience, a clear mind and a firm heart.” She added: “I deeply respect the constitutional order, and within it, the figure of the president of the republic as a symbol of national unity.”
Petro described Leyva’s actions as an attempted “coup d’état” and ordered investigations. The former foreign minister—now in Madrid—denies the accusations. Sources close to the White House confirmed to El País that the Trump administration never considered supporting the plan.
The scandal reflects deep divisions within the ruling party. Leyva, a longtime conservative, was instrumental in achieving “total peace” and rapprochement with Venezuela, but his 2024 departure from government—due to bidding irregularities—led him to act independently.
(Telesur)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/JB
