Former Colombian Cabinet Members Charged with Bribing Lawmakers for Votes

BOGOTA, Colombia Colombian prosecutors on Monday formally charged two former officials from President Gustavo Petros administration with corruption over allegations of orchestrating a vote-buying scheme in Congress.

The legal actions follow a series of anti-corruption investigations in the country. Authorities have also detained former leaders of Colombias Senate and House of Representatives, who are accused of accepting bribes linked to the former administration.

Prosecutors stated that ex-Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla and ex-Interior Minister Luis Fernando Velasco collaborated with officials from two government agencies to divert public funds to companies connected with lawmakers and their associates. In return, these legislators allegedly voted in favor of Petro-backed legislation, including reforms to the national pension system.

Both Bonilla and Velasco face charges including criminal association, bribery, and conflicts of interest in contracting, carrying potential sentences of up to 27 years in prison if convicted. The former ministers deny any misconduct.

President Petro has framed the investigations as attempts to undermine his government. I am certain I have not committed any crime, Bonilla stated during a hearing in Bogot, Colombias capital.

The 75-year-old economist, a longtime adviser to Petro, served as finance minister for 18 months before resigning last year amid allegations of his involvement in the vote-buying operation. Prosecutors also claim that the majority of the funds channeled to lawmakers and their allies originated from a national disaster prevention agency, whose former director is also facing criminal charges.

Author: Sophia Brooks