Complaints of electoral irregularities in Colombia

In the national media report, it was stated that during the telephone conversation between the former Colombian ambassador in Caracas, Armando Benedetti, and Petro’s chief of staff, Laura Sarabia, Petro bought a certain number of votes during the electoral campaign.

In audio recordings published in Semana, one of the most important magazines in the country, it is alleged that Benedetti told Sarabia that during Petro’s electoral campaign, votes were bought for money, especially in coastal areas, and thus the elections were won. .

Following the complaints, which generated a great public debate, the CNE summoned Benedetti and Sarabia to testify as witnesses on June 13.

It was indicated that the CNE will also request the recordings from Semana magazine, which publishes the audios.

DENIED THE CLAIMS

In his statement about the complaints, Petro stated that he did not commit any irregularities during the presidential campaign and that his financing was in accordance with the law.

Federico Gutiérrez, who lost to Petro in the presidential elections, said in the video he shared on his Twitter account that Petro’s electoral victory was fraudulent and that he would file a criminal complaint to clarify the audio recordings.

Benedetti resigned from the Colombian Embassy in Caracas, while Serabia resigned from the cabinet post, after the audio recordings that sparked controversy between the opposition and the government. (AA)