BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Carlos Holmes Trujillo, candidate for president of the ruling party that served as defense minister, died on Tuesday of a viral pneumonia related to Covid-19, the government said.
Mr. Trujillo, who was 69, was hospitalized on January 11 after showing symptoms of the coronavirus. He was transferred to the intensive care unit four days later. Although his condition had been stable for the past few days, a government statement said he started to get worse overnight and died just before 2 am
“This is one of the most painful moments we are experiencing,” said President Iván Duque. “I ask God for strength and always hope. I accompany your family and loved ones. “
Former mayor of Cali, diplomat and minister of several governments, Holmes Trujillo served as Duke as minister of foreign affairs and, more recently, as head of Colombia’s major armed forces. Colombia’s security services, which work closely with the United States, face the double challenge of increasing drug trafficking and increasing violence in remote regions where drug gangs dominate.
“The United States has lost a great friend and ally,” said the American ambassador to Colombia, Philip S. Goldberg. “Personally, I am deeply saddened by the loss of a friend and colleague of enormous talent.”
The death leaves a void for the ruling Democratic Center Party, which is trying to decide on a candidate who can win next year’s presidential election. Trujillo, who had tried to nominate the party in the last two elections, was expected to take a stand again, although he did not publicly declare his candidacy. Trujillo was a friend of Álvaro Uribe, a former president who runs the party.
“He was probably a great candidate,” said Sergio Guzmán, an analyst at Colombia Risk. He added that Trujillo is expected to step down in the coming months to begin the campaign.
Mr. Trujillo is one of the most senior government officials in the world to have died in the pandemic. His death drew condolences from allies like Israel and even from Venezuela’s rival government. Mr. Trujillo had openly supported Venezuela’s opposition movement.
“He was a great friend, public servant and an important ally in the fight for the rescue of freedom and democracy in Venezuela,” said Julio Borges, the opposition leader who lives in Colombia.
A country of 50 million inhabitants, Colombia has been hit hard by the pandemic, with 52,000 deaths.