The Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, decided to postpone until tomorrow, Monday, the official trip to Mexico for the investiture of Claudia Sheinbaum by the accident of a Colombian Air Force helicopter (FAC) during a humanitarian mission in the department of Vichada, in the east of the country, which caused the death of its eight crew members.
(Read more: Eight people died in an Air Force helicopter accident in Vichada)
“I have decided to postpone my trip to Mexico until tomorrow due to the accident of the Air Force helicopter. I want to accompany the families in their pain and continue the investigation personally to determine the causes of the event”the president announced on his X account.
The Air Force had reported that it was searching for the helicopter, a Huey II with registration FAC-4441, “after losing communication with the crew and who were carrying out an aeromedical evacuation mission” in the Cumaribo area, in Vichada, a department bordering Venezuela.
(See: ‘We change the direction of investment and take it to the most remote regions’: DNP)
I have decided to postpone my trip to Mexico until tomorrow due to the Air Force helicopter accident. I want to accompany the families in their pain and personally continue the investigation to determine the causes of the event.
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) September 29, 2024
(Read more: Government accepted the resignation of the Director of Immigration: who will take over?)
According to local media, the remains of the helicopter were found in the immense savannas of Vichada, near the hamlet of Santa Teresita del Tuparro.
The president was expected to embark this Sunday to Mexico to meet tomorrow with the outgoing president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and on Tuesday attend the investiture of the new president.
In addition, on his agenda he also planned a meeting today with the Colombian community in Mexico City.
(More news: Petro speaks with Pedro Sánchez for the extradition of Diego Marín, alias ‘Pitufo’)
EFE
