Allegations of Corruption in Colombia: President Petro’s Bold Claims
On the night of Tuesday, July 15, President Gustavo Petro delivered a pivotal speech that resonated across all Colombian television channels. His address centered on the alleged irregularities concerning the administration of government resources allocated to EPS (health promoting entities) aimed at guaranteeing health services to citizens. Petro declared that these entities are misappropriating funds, with the embezzlement amounting to an astounding 2.71 billion pesos by 2024, according to the Comptroller General’s report.
Petro emphasized that criminal actions have gone unnoticed, accusing the Attorney General’s Office of failing to launch an inquiry into these malpractice reports. He claimed the EPS reported significantly lower income than was received from the state. Furthermore, Petro openly criticized his former political ally, Olmedo López , who he appointed as director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management ( UNGRD ) at the onset of his administration.
“We allocate 87 trillion pesos ; where is the money disappearing? The discrepancy indicates 2.71 billion pesos are unaccounted for. Mr. Olmedo’s actions betray the poor and the progressive movement in Colombia, leading to 26,000 million pesos being squandered.” He indicated that this situation should be regarded as a crime against humanity that justifies judicial proceedings.
López, the former UNGRD director, faced significant backlash and ultimately had to depart his position amid the corruption allegations. He is currently under criminal prosecution for purportedly diverting funds to corrupt legislators, thereby expediting government reforms aimed at addressing essential social issues.
In the ongoing investigation, the Supreme Court’s Instruction Chamber recently reviewed evidence against Iván Name and Andrés Calle, who served as presidents of the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. Both officials have been detained at La Picota prison since May 2025 and could face severe penalties ranging from three to six years for bribery and four to ten years for misappropriation.
The investigation spearheaded by the Supreme Court, supported by testimonies from the Attorney General’s Office, alleges that legislators received approximately 4,000 million pesos for facilitating legislative reforms concerning health, pensions, and labor. The testimonies of Olmedo López and Sneyder Pinilla , a former official at UNGRD , have been crucial in linking Name and Calle to the bribery scheme .
Specifically, Iván Name, a senator from the Green Party, is implicated in receiving 3,000 million pesos allegedly from Sandra Ortiz, a former advisor, in return for processing government reforms and facilitating the election of Vladimir Fernández to the Constitutional Court. Pinilla testified that the money exchanges occurred in Name’s upscale Bogotá residence.
Additionally, Andrés Calle , a representative of the Liberal Party, stands accused of receiving 1,000 million pesos from a UNGRD contract intended for enhancing water supply infrastructure in La Guajira . Allegations assert that these funds were part of the same scheme benefiting Name.
In response to these charges, both Name and Calle have vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that the accusations stem from false testimonies. The accountability rests with the Supreme Court of Justice , which will decide whether to proceed with formal charges or dismiss the cases based on the evidential solidity of the gathered material.
Despite the grave nature of these allegations and the potential ramifications for multiple political figures, the situation highlights broader concerns surrounding accountability and transparency in the Colombian government. As investigations continue, the nation’s citizens remain observant, hoping for a resolution that focuses on justice and integrity.