By Natalia Rueda 
Colonel Carlos Feria Buitrago, the head of presidential protection in Colombia, was summoned to testify before the Attorney General’s Office this Tuesday morning in the ongoing preliminary investigation into the death of Colonel Óscar Dávila. While his lawyer has expressed faith in the pursuit of justice, the investigation has also raised difficult questions about the alleged use of state investigative apparatus in the case.
Colonel Dávila worked as coordinator of anticipatory protection of the Presidency of the Republic and his body was found lifeless by his driver on the night of Friday, June 9, inside his truck in western Bogotá. Colonel Feria is believed to have been aware of any potential pressure or intimidation against Dávila, and has pledged to disclose all he knows.
Colonel Feria is a trusted figure in the Colombian government, having served as presidential protection since President Gustavo Petro’s tenure as mayor of Bogotá (2012-2014). Feria’s dedication to providing protection for the president and his family earned him an exception to the role of presidential security, usually given to higher ranking officers. He is also an intelligence expert, leading to suspicions about the use of the State investigative apparatus in what some have classified as a domestic burglary or a matter of national security.
The Prosecutor’s Office believes that the alleged illegal use of a polygraph test on Marelbys Meza, a former nanny of one of Petro’s former Chief of Staff, falls under the responsibility of Colonel Feria and has opened two different lines of investigation regarding the crimes of abuse of authority and embezzlement.
As the investigation continues, the Colombian public awaits answers as to how and why Colonel Óscar Dávila was killed and whether Colonel Feria had any knowledge of the events leading up to his death.