A COLOMBIAN congressional committee ordered a preliminary investigation into President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday, over allegations of crimes in the financing of his election campaign.

The Commission of Investigation and Accusation, which has judicial functions in dealing with complaints against the president, said it ordered the probe after analysing information provided by prosecutors following revelations of alleged irregular campaign contributions involving Mr Petro’s son.

Colombia’s presidents have immunity from being investigated by the prosecutor’s office.

Prosecutors initially charged Petro’s son, Nicolas Petro, with receiving cash that was not from his earnings as a deputy from Atlantico. 

During their investigation, prosecutors say they found that a portion of those irregular funds allegedly went to his father’s 2022 presidential campaign.

Mauricio Pava, the president’s defence lawyer, issued a statement Monday saying the law prohibits using Nicolas Petro’s statements to prosecutors as “a means of proof in any process” because the collaboration failed.

The legal process could end with President Petro facing a senate trial which could lead to him being removed from office.

This comes a year after Peruvian president Pedro Castillo was ousted by legal means and would be the latest move by Latin American political establishments to undermine or remove left-wing leaders in recent years, as in Brazil and Guatemala.