Global General

Colombia tightens security ahead of Santos' inauguration

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-06 10:52

BOGOTA -- Colombian police are working hard to ensure security for President-elect Juan Manuel Santos' inauguration ceremony on Saturday, a senior official said Thursday.

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Orlando Paez, police general and public security director, told reporters that some 160,000 police officers and 22,000 army troops will be deployed for the ceremony, to be attended by many foreign dignitaries.

Measures had been adopted to maintain control over the six roads leading to Bogota and the air space over the capital city, he added.

At least 13 Latin American leaders have confirmed attendance, including Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.

Envoys from Germany, China, France and the United States will also be present.

In 2002, when current President Alvaro Uribe took office, inauguration events were interrupted by a series of attacks by the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).