Colombian Government in Crisis Due to Wiretapping Scandal

Colombian President Gustavo Petro is facing a political crisis after two members of his inner circle were sacked amid allegations of illegal wiretapping, stolen cash, campaign finance violations, and leaked audio messages. The scandal centres around Petro’s chief of staff, Laura Sarabia, and the Colombian ambassador to Venezuela, Armando Benedetti, who was Petro’s presidential campaign manager. Both deny any wrongdoing. The scandal began when Sarabia accused her nanny of stealing $7,000 in cash and allegedly subjected her to a polygraph test. The attorney general’s office has launched an investigation into the actions of both Sarabia and Benedetti. Leaked audio messages from Benedetti threaten to reveal incriminating evidence about Petro’s presidential campaign. The scandal has halted debates on the administration’s proposed social reforms and has attracted scrutiny for other signs of instability. Petro’s popularity has slumped from 50% in November to 34%.