Colombia President Gustavo Petro speaks during a plenary session at the Cop28 UN Climate Summit, December 1, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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.
The disputed election of a far-right president, who is also a US citizen, signals further consolidation of Washington’s regional power and represents a threat to the country’s democracy and sovereignty, writes WT WHITNEY JNR
ENRIQUE SANTIAGO ROMERO says the Colombian far-right’s election victory is deeply suspect — and the United States has its fingerprints all over it
Colombia’s success in controlling the drug trade should be recognised and its sovereignty respected, argues Dr GLORY SAAVEDRA