BTN News: Former director of Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), Olmedo López, has implicated the guerrilla group Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) in a significant corruption scandal. This scandal, which has also implicated Colombia’s Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla, reveals a deep-rooted network involving various officials and contractors.
In a statement to the Supreme Court last month, recently disclosed by Noticias Caracol, López described an extensive corruption network. “This scheme involves everyone from ministers to contractors, with significant roles played by other officials. A powerful military actor is also involved,” López stated. He named the ELN as a key player, particularly highlighting its influence in the Arauca department, near the Venezuelan border.
López referenced a peace negotiation cycle in Mexico City last December, where the Colombian government and the ELN agreed to cease kidnappings for economic gain. However, by May, after López had left his position, the ELN resumed kidnappings, claiming the government failed to create a promised multi-donor fund for the peace process. “They issued a statement: ‘We return to kidnappings because our men’s upkeep hasn’t been guaranteed’,” López told investigators, suggesting the guerrilla sought contracts to secure funding.
In one instance, López mentioned that a UNGRD contract was awarded to Congresswoman Karen Manrique from Arauca, an area with significant ELN activity.
High-Level Corruption and Financial Mismanagement
The UNGRD scandal came to light when local media uncovered the misappropriation of 46.8 billion pesos (around 11.7 million dollars) intended for purchasing 40 water trucks for La Guajira’s desert areas. Further reports indicated that funds were used to bribe Senate President Iván Name (Alianza Verde) and House President Andrés Calle (Liberal Party) in exchange for their support of President Gustavo Petro’s social reforms.
López’s testimony implicated Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla in the scandal, alleging contract awards to secure Congressional approval for budgetary projects. According to López, Bonilla increased the UNGRD budget after their meeting in 2023. He also claimed that María Alejandra Benavides, Bonilla’s advisor, drafted a document with a congresswoman listing senators and representatives who would benefit from contracts totaling 92 billion pesos (approximately 23 million dollars).
The Supreme Court confirmed receiving a case from the Prosecutor’s Office requesting investigations into nine congress members, including the Senate and House presidents, linked to this scandal.
President Petro Denies Allegations
President Gustavo Petro dismissed López’s claims as “false,” suggesting the allegations were intended to overshadow the government’s success in reducing poverty and signing pension reforms. Petro defended his administration on social media, stating, “We have provided evidence to the Prosecutor’s Office of how the ELN in Arauca laundered money through professional launderers in the government, but not in mine, rather in [Iván] Duque’s.”
Petro argued that López’s allegations were an attempt to mitigate his own punishment without returning the stolen funds.
Implications and Future Outlook
This scandal has far-reaching implications for Colombia’s political and administrative landscape. The involvement of high-level officials and a guerrilla group underscores the pervasive corruption challenges the country faces. As investigations proceed, the focus will be on uncovering the full extent of the network and implementing measures to prevent future occurrences.
The scandal also casts a shadow over Colombia’s peace process with the ELN. The breakdown in agreements and resumption of kidnappings signal challenges in maintaining trust and compliance in negotiations. Moving forward, the government will need to address these issues transparently to restore faith in its commitment to peace and anti-corruption efforts.
In summary, the unfolding scandal reveals a complex web of corruption involving guerrilla groups and top officials. As the investigation deepens, Colombia faces the dual challenge of cleansing its political institutions while navigating a fragile peace process with the ELN.
