Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Saturday July 29 the arrest of his eldest son Nicolas Petro, accused of money laundering and illegal enrichment. The prosecution also confirmed the arrest, as the presidential campaign of Colombia’s first leftist president faces a second scandal.
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Colombia’s first left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, wrote on Twitter, renamed X, that police had arrested his son and his ex-wife, Days Vasquez. The latter accuses Nicolas Petro of maintaining links with drug traffickers and smugglers, particularly within the framework of Gustavo Petro’s presidential campaign.
The prosecution indicated for its part that Nicolas Petro had been arrested “ for the offenses of money laundering and illegal enrichment » and his ex-wife for « asset laundering and personal data breach “.
In March, Days Vasquez accused his former partner of receiving large sums of money from drug traffickers and smugglers in 2022 for Gustavo Petro’s winning presidential campaign. According to her, Nicolas Petro would have used them to lead a luxurious life in the city of Barranquilla (North).
” I won’t interfere »
Colombia’s first left-wing president regretted his arrest and assured that he would guarantee the independence of justice: As I assured before the Attorney General, I will not interfere or pressure his decision, may the law freely guide the process. “, he wrote.
” As a person and as a father, it pains me so much about self-destruction, and the fact that one of my children ends up in prison. “, he lamented on Twitter, announcing the arrests. ” I wish my son good luck and strengthhe added. May these events shape his character and allow him to reflect on his own mistakes. ».
Since the beginning of this affair, the Colombian president has denied having received money from drug trafficking groups and has himself requested the opening of an investigation against his son. Nicolás Petro was deputy of the “ Historical pact », the left-wing alliance having brought his father to power. The media had published statements of Nicolas Petro’s accounts, showing incomes well above those of a parliamentarian’s salary.
Days Vásquez claimed in an interview that her ex-husband had received the equivalent of approximately $124,000 from a former drug trafficker, Samuel Santander Lopesierra. Known under the pseudonym ” The Marlboro Man Mr. Santander Lopesierra served 18 years in prison in the United States for drug trafficking.
Gustavo Petro implicated in an illegal wiretapping scandal
The Colombian president found himself directly involved in another scandal concerning illegal eavesdropping and targeting two of his relatives, his ex-chief of staff Laura Sarabia and the former Colombian ambassador to Venezuela Armando Benedetti. The latter had been a major player in his election in August 2022.
In audio recordings revealed by the press, Armando Benedetti had threatened the chief of staff to reveal an alleged illegal financing of up to 3.5 million dollars on the Caribbean coast. He had also hinted at the alleged involvement of Nicolas Petro in these irregularities. ” I have proof regarding Nicolas. I always had very serious evidence of what was happening “, indicated the ex-diplomat to the local press at the beginning of June without giving more details.
Laura Sarabia, summoned on July 18 before the National Electoral Council (CNE) denied having information on the financing of the campaign. Armando Benedetti, also summoned by the body, did not show up.
(With AFP)