Colombia: Gustavo Petro’s son accused of taking money from drug dealer

journal report Change reported this Sunday that the eldest son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro “is leading a lifestyle that does not seem to match his income as a member of the Atlantic Assembly.” According to the investigation, Nicolás Petro had expenses that included purchases in a jewelry store and branded clothing, aesthetic procedures, consumption in restaurants and payments to millionaires in Barranquilla hotels.

“The statement for December last year indicates that, based on this report, Nicholas spent over 40 million pesos (about $8,300) and even so, he kept over $70 million (about $14,600) on his balance sheet. It should be noted that this account did not receive rent or mortgage payments, fees for vehicles or utilities, and only one purchase in a supermarket appears, ”the note in the aforementioned magazine says.

The scandal erupted last Thursday Gustavo Petro released a statement citing “information rumored in public opinion” about his brother Juan Fernando Petro Urrego and his eldest son, Nicholas Petro Burgosfor which he asked the country’s Attorney General, Francisco Barbosa, “to conduct all necessary investigations and determine possible responsibility.”

Petro referred to alleged meetings in prisons, where, according to some versions, people around him pretended to be members of the government in order to contact the criminals and offer to include them in the “total peace” program for money. A suspicion that falls on his brother, but with which his son is not connected.

However, a few hours later, Day Vasquez, ex-wife of Nicholas Petro, in an interview with the magazine A weekaccused the president’s eldest son of receiving money from a drug dealer Samuel Santander Lopesierraalso known as “The Marlboro Man”, for his father’s presidential campaign, which, however, never reached its goal.

“It never made it to the campaign because he (Nicholas) kept that money like the others,” said Vazquez, who assured Lopesierra gave his son Petro “more than 600 million pesos (about $124,700 today) for the campaign.” father” and who also received 200 million pesos (about $41,500) from businessman Alfonso “Turco” Hilsachi, who was also not involved in the campaign.

So does the magazine A week published Petro’s “chats” with Vasquez, in which the politician talks about how he met with some members of his father’s cabinet, such as Minister of the Interior Alfonso Prada, who allegedly gave him “10 places” in this portfolio to work there relatives and friends son of the president.

Petro accuses ELN of ‘sabotaging’ peace talks

Last week, ELN fighters reported that they have an army sergeant from Colombiawhich President Gustavo Petro called a sabotage of the peace talks his government is having with the rebels.

“I condemn the kidnapping of Sergeant Libey Danilo Bravo from the National Army. These are facts that will sabotage any possibility of peace,” the President tweeted after ELN Eastern Front of the War issued a statement on the retention of the military in the department of Arauca (northeast).

The rebels claim that the non-commissioned officer was “arrested” on February 14, the day after government and guerrilla delegates landed in Mexico to begin the second cycle of negotiations.

“He is receiving treatment in accordance with human rights and in accordance with the reality of the war currently being waged in Arauca,” on the border with Venezuela and in a historic rebel stronghold, he added. National Liberation Army (ELN).

(According to EFE and AFP)