Colombia Finance Minister Resigns Over Bribery Allegations

Colombian Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla resigned at the request of President Gustavo Petro following accusations that he overlooked bribery involving parliamentarians.

A former adviser accused Bonilla last week of being aware that lawmakers were being bribed in exchange for supporting key reforms proposed by Petro.

The attorney general’s office has alleged that the bribes were funded by $200,000 taken from public funds.

Despite the accusations, Bonilla has maintained his innocence.

However, President Gustavo Petro announced at a press conference on Wednesday that Ricardo Bonilla would be replaced by his deputy, Diego Guevara, following Bonilla’s resignation.

Petro told reporters he had asked for Bonilla’s resignation “not because I believe he is guilty, but because they want to destroy him for his loyalty” to the president.

A major corruption scandal has implicated several high-ranking government officials, as well as members of parliament from both the ruling party and the opposition.

In July, Colombia’s intelligence chief, a close ally of President Gustavo Petro, resigned after prosecutors accused him of orchestrating the bribery of parliamentary leaders to expedite the passage of bills.

President Petro, who took office in 2022, came to power with an ambitious agenda of social reforms.