Colombia President Gustavo Petro's Son Arrested in Money Laundering Probe

Colombia police arrested President Gustavo Petro son, Nicolas Petro, on Saturday as part of a high-profile money laundering investigation, AP reports.

The probe revolves around allegations that Nicolas collected funds from convicted drug traffickers during his father's presidential campaign last year.

Colombia President Gustavo Petro, known for his background as a former rebel and his commitment to anti-corruption efforts, declared that he would not interfere with the ongoing investigation.

In a message shared on the social media platform X, he expressed his personal distress as a father witnessing his son facing legal consequences but also assured that as the head of the republic, he would ensure that the chief prosecutor's office receives all necessary guarantees to conduct the investigation in accordance with the law.

Nicolas Petro's arrest is a significant blow to the government, which has been facing criticism from conservative factions since the beginning of its tenure.

The situation has made it challenging for the government to maintain bipartisan support for Colombia in the United States, a long-standing ally in the war on drugs and efforts against illegal armed groups.

President Gustavo Petro Son, Nicolas Petro's Ex-Wife, Also Arrested for Money Laundering

In addition to Nicolas Petro, his ex-wife, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, was also arrested on accusations of money laundering and personal data violation, Reuters noted.

Vasquez had previously made statements to local media, claiming that two individuals involved in drug trafficking had given money to Nicolas for his father's presidential campaign.

After the arrests, Nicolas Petro was taken by plane from the city of Barranquilla to the attorney general's office headquarters in the capital city, Bogota.

The procurator's office in Colombia issued a separate statement affirming its intention to intervene in the forthcoming hearings involving Petro's son and his ex-wife.

The procurator's office aims to ensure that the legal process is conducted with the utmost respect for the law and that the fundamental rights and guarantees of all parties involved are upheld.

Ex-Wife Says Nicolas Petro Received Money from Drug Trafficker Samuel Santander Lopesierra

In an interview with Semana magazine, Vasque disclosed that her ex-husband received around $124,000 from a former drug trafficker named Samuel Santander Lopesierra, according to Al Jazeera.

Lopesierra had previously served an 18-year prison sentence in the United States for drug trafficking.

This revelation forms a crucial part of the money laundering and illicit enrichment charges against both Nicolas Petro and Vasquez.

Prosecutors have confirmed the arrests of Nicolas Petro and Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez in connection with these charges.

Meanwhile, Colombia President Gustavo Petro has vehemently denied receiving any money from Colombia's powerful cocaine groups.

He proactively requested an investigation into his son's financial activities to ensure transparency.

Petro's government has been pursuing a "Total Peace" proposal, aiming to negotiate with criminal groups and encourage them to lay down their arms.

The objective is to end Colombia's 60-year internal conflict that has tragically claimed the lives of approximately 450,000 people.

During his first year in office, Petro's efforts to achieve peace have yielded mixed results. Negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) armed group have been revived, leading to a ceasefire scheduled to commence in August.

However, attempts to engage in conversations with the major crime gang, Clan del Golfo, have faced challenges due to ongoing violence.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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