Colombian prosecutors announced Monday they intend to file corruption charges against Ricardo Roa, the current president of state oil company Ecopetrol, stemming from alleged campaign finance violations and influence peddling related to President Gustavo Petro’s 2022 presidential campaign.
The charges center around accusations that spending limits were exceeded during Roa’s tenure as campaign manager for Petro’s “Pacto Histórico” coalition, according to prosecutor Raúl González Flechas. Prosecutors allege the campaign surpassed “the legally established limits for this type of electoral event.”
A second line of inquiry focuses on allegations of influence peddling benefiting Juan Guillermo Mancera, who reportedly received favorable treatment in a contract awarded by Ecopetrol. Investigators claim Mancera was previously involved in a business deal with Roa concerning the purchase of a luxury apartment in Bogotá.
In November, Colombia’s National Electoral Council (CNE) sanctioned Petro’s 2022 presidential campaign for exceeding financing limits by more than 3.5 billion pesos (approximately 802,400 euros) and for accepting illegal contributions. The ruling imposed fines on Roa, as well as the Colombia Humana and Unión Patriótica (UP) parties, both part of the Pacto Histórico coalition.
The move to charge Roa, who has been Ecopetrol’s CEO since April 2023, adds to a series of investigations into the financing of Petro’s successful bid for the presidency. The allegations reach at a sensitive time for Colombia, as the country prepares for upcoming congressional and presidential elections. This development underscores the ongoing scrutiny of political financing and potential corruption within Colombia’s political landscape.
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