Corruption Allegations Rock Colombian Government: Finance Minister Protests Innocence

Colombian Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla faces allegations of involvement in a major corruption scandal. The claims relate to the UNGRD disaster agency allegedly bribing Congress members to support government reforms. Bonilla denies the accusations and commits to a speedy investigation to clear his name.

Colombian Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla on Friday declared his commitment to a rapid investigation into corruption allegations against him, amid graft accusations involving several officials in President Gustavo Petro's administration.

Bonilla was linked to a scandal concerning Colombia's UNGRD disaster agency, which was allegedly instructed to bribe members of Congress to support government reforms. "My legal team is working tirelessly to clarify all the aspects which may be required," Bonilla said in a post on X.

Responding to a local journalist's post, Bonilla stated his defense team would hand over initial evidence to the attorney general's office next week. Earlier this week, Bonilla protested his innocence on X, asserting he would "face any examination of my official actions with respect for justice."

In May, Colombia's supreme court called on then Interior Minister Luis Fernando Velasco to testify in a case involving the UNGRD's former director Olmedo Lopez and former deputy director Sneyder Pinilla, who were allegedly involved in corrupt purchases of water tankers. Both Lopez and Pinilla are giving evidence in exchange for immunity and protection.

The scandal has also implicated Ivan Name, former senate president, and Andres Calle, former president of the house of representatives, who are accused of taking money to aid the approval of government reforms. Both men deny the accusations. The scandal threatens progress for some of President Petro's social and economic reforms in Congress, as his support continues to wane.

President Gustavo Petro, Colombia's first left-wing president, denies any involvement in the scandal.