Stories from Colombia

A lawyer for the 'Papá Pitufo' organization claimed during a broadcast that President Gustavo Petro acknowledged receiving 500 million pesos for his 2022 campaign. The source noted the investigation is examining if the plane is linked to other matters. Investigators are looking into whether this aircraft is linked to the individual known as Papitufo. An investigation is probing potential links between President Petro's campaign and an individual or entity known as Papitufo. The allegations involve a supposed alliance between the government of Ecuador and former President Álvaro Uribe to affect the Colombian electoral process. Petro stated that criminal groups increase their influence when there is a lack of collaboration between the two governments. The allegations come one month before the scheduled presidential elections.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Vice President Francia Márquez signed a formal document at a notary office stating they will not expropriate land. The act includes four specific reforms.

Presidential candidate Paloma Valencia stated during a visit to Villavicencio that the current administration is the most corrupt in the history of the country. Her comments focused on the actions of the government over the last four years.

A 20-year-old patient diagnosed with leukemia died on March 14 while waiting for the medication DLINATUMOMAP. The case may be escalated to the prosecutor's office. The Colombian Ministry of Health has changed access to euthanasia through Resolution 803 of 2026.

María Alejandra Benavidez arrived at the Supreme Court instruction room to testify against two congressmen. Benavides previously mentioned Senator Sorberenice Bedoya in her statements to the prosecutor's office. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks, starting this Monday. More than one million electoral witnesses were nominated for the March 8 congressional elections in Colombia and abroad. Over 10,000 system auditors were also appointed to support the process. This coverage reaches 98.9% across more than 125,000 polling stations. The participation is intended to ensure legitimacy and transparency in the electoral process. This combined effort achieved a coverage rate of 98.9%, according to the source. The data was released to highlight the scale of oversight for the 2026 democratic process.

A key testimony has emerged regarding the alleged involvement of Congresswomen Marta Peralta and Bererice Bedoya in a corruption scheme. The testimony suggests the lawmakers exchanged votes in the Public Credit Commission for contracts with the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management. This development follows formal accusations against former ministers. Prosecutors are investigating claims that contracts were directed to entities like the National Risk Management Agency and Invías to benefit specific congressmen. The alleged scheme aimed to secure political support for government projects and to expand debt levels required by Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla. The investigation focuses on whether these contracts were used to gain endorsements for government initiatives.

The Ministers of Mines and Labor signed a joint circular in the Cesar department to strengthen labor links for electrical technicians in renewable energy projects and energy communities.

The Superior Tribunal of Bogota confirmed a detention order against former Interior Minister Luis Fernando Velasco. The measure was originally imposed on December 18. Velasco is accused of involvement in the looting of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management.

A woman is under investigation by the prosecutor's office for allegedly using a falsified degree to secure a contract with the Cartagena Institute of Heritage and Culture.

The Colombian Army's Third Division confirmed the presence of explosives on the Pan-American highway between Popayán and Cali. Two cylinders were located hidden inside a sewer at kilometer 25 in the Piendamó jurisdiction.