Colombia red-faced over presidential theft

A navy sergeant was caught stealing a painting from Colombia’s presidential palace in an embarrassing security lapse just days before President Bush visits, authorities said Friday.

The sergeant, a member of the palace security detail, cut “El Condor” by Alejandro Obregon from its frame in a cabinet meeting room and carried out the painting under a raincoat before confessing to the robbery, officials said.

“We reviewed the cameras and we saw a naval sergeant who has worked there for four years,” palace secretary Bernardo Moreno told local radio.

“It is worrying that someone can go in, cut out a painting and casually leave. It shows some vulnerability.”

Speaking to local television after his arrest, the sergeant said he had suffered from mental problems but acknowledged he was an Obregon admirer.

Narino Palace in central Bogota is one of the most heavily guarded buildings in Colombia, protected by police, soldiers, bomb-sniffing dogs, metal detectors and security cameras.

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Bush arrives in Bogota Sunday during a five-nation tour of Latin America. Security in the Andean capital is tight with more than 7,000 police officers assigned to protect the U.S. leader, who will meet President Alvaro Uribe at the palace.

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Uribe is Bush’s closest ally in South America and has received billions of dollars in U.S. aid to fight Colombia’s four-decade-old guerrilla war and illegal drugs trade.

Obregon is one of the most famous painters in Colombia with a series of his works depicting colorful condors and others touching on the country’s political violence.

“Without a doubt, this is a real embarrassment for all Colombians and especially for the Colombian navy,” Adm. Guillermo Barrera said. “The navy had no idea we had any problems at the time.”