Skip to main content
Advertise Buy the paper Contact us Shop Subscribe Support us
Colombian authorities open probe into president of alleged campaign finance misdeeds

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.

More from this author
World / 28 November 2024
28 November 2024
World / 28 November 2024
28 November 2024
Britain / 28 November 2024
28 November 2024
More than 60 signatories urge Foreign Minister to sanction Israel in line with ICC and ICJ
Features / 27 November 2024
27 November 2024
As the massive debt burden continues to bite and the climate emergency worsens, the world’s developing countries must escape the abusive relationship of debt enslavement that is holding them back, says ROGER McKENZIE
Similar stories
Features / 6 May 2024
6 May 2024
Colombia’s first left-leaning government has faced subversion from the murderous right-wing elite it deposed, but it has not stopped moving forward with the peace process and social reforms needed, writes NICK MacWILLIAM
World / 22 April 2024
22 April 2024
Features / 9 February 2024
9 February 2024
Democracy is under threat following a series of disruptive actions that Gustavo Petro's government has attributed to attempts by state institutions to undermine its progressive agenda or even remove it from office, writes NICK MACWILLIAM
Features / 27 January 2024
27 January 2024
Right-wing forces continuously obstruct the progressive agenda of Gustavo Petro's government, writes NICK MacWILLIAM