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Colombian President Gustavo Petro slammed for claiming 4 children involved in plane crash found alive

The plane crash reportedly happened on May 1 and the bodies of the pilot and two adults have been discovered so far

SAN JOSE DEL GUAVIARE, COLOMBIA: Colombian president Gustavo Petro is facing backlash for claiming that four children, including a baby, were saved after they were involved in a plane crash. It was, however, reported that the military has no clue about the survivors.

The crash reportedly happened on May 1 when a Cessna 206 plane was on a route between Araracuara in Amazonas province and San Jose del Guaviare, as reported by The Independent. Of the seven passengers, the bodies of the pilot and two adults have been discovered. They were found on Monday, May 15, and Tuesday, May 16, the Daily Mail reported. Only the identity of the children’s mother has been released. Her name was Magdalena Mucutuy Valencia and she belonged to the Huitoto ethnic group.

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‘A joy for the country’

During the search operation, which included over 100 soldiers and several sniffer dogs, officials also found a baby's drinking bottle, scissors, a hair tie and a half-eaten piece of fruit. The four children, whose fate is yet to be known, are 13-year-old Lesly Mucutuy, nine-year-old Soleiny Mucutuy, four-year-old Tien Noriel Ronoque Mucutuy, and 11-month-old Cristin Neriman Ranoque Mucutoy.

Petro tweeted in Spanish, “After arduous search efforts by our Military Forces, we have found alive the 4 children who had disappeared due to the plane crash in Guaviare. A joy for the country."

Colombia’s El Espectador news outlet reported that the military did not know about the children, according to Al Jazeera. Avianline Charters, owner of the plane, reportedly confirmed the children “were being transported by boat downriver and that they were all alive," but also mentioned “there has been no official confirmation” if they were safe.

'I suspect that the children they supposedly found alive are 'imaginary''

Meanwhile, Petro’s announcement has received numerous reactions online with a user asking, “Hey emperor, the news says they haven't found them yet. Who is lying, them or you? Happy afternoon!” Another user commented, “I suspect that the children they supposedly found alive are ‘imaginary’ as well as the evidence that Petro and the JEP have of what Mancuso said.”

“Who gave the information to the president? Why Cambio, Caracol, and other media say they have not found them? That there are only signs of survival? Please confirm,” the third one tweeted. The fourth user remarked, “Without evidence how to believe a news story .. 'not even the boat with the children has arrived' as reported @NoticiasCaracol.” 

However, there were many who believed the leader’s words as a person tweeted, “They have been capsizing days, 3 people lost their lives on that flight, including a brother from our indigenous movement. We are in mourning, but without a doubt, this is great news. That these children survive alone in the jungle, they are heroes. Thanks to those who supported the search.” Another added, “Thanks to the National Army, the air force, indigenous communities that know their territory, Pte @petrogustavo and to all who made this discovery possible. Thanks to the God of life who protected them in the accident.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.