Nicolas Petro, the son of Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, is set to stand trial for alleged illicit enrichment and money laundering during his time as a politician in Atlantico province, according to the attorney general’s office. An official indictment has been filed in Barranquilla’s Criminal Courts. In July, Petro and his ex-wife, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, were arrested on similar charges. In August, Petro pleaded not guilty but offered to cooperate with prosecutors, who claim he purchased $394,000 worth of properties with funds unrelated to his salary.
Initially, Petro had negotiated a deal with prosecutors that could have led to reduced sentences and house arrest, but this agreement fell apart due to missed deadlines for providing information and evidence about others involved, as stated by the attorney general’s office. The case will soon be assigned to a judge for oversight.
The charges suggest that Nicolas Petro received money from alleged drug traffickers in exchange for their inclusion in the president’s peace initiatives. President Gustavo Petro has denied any knowledge of illegal activities and remains committed to his administration’s policy plans. However, this scandal could impede his efforts to pursue peace agreements with armed groups and enact his ambitious reform agenda, which was already facing challenges due to the dissolution of the government’s previous congressional coalition.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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