The Attorney General’s Office began this Monday, December 1, the indictment of charges against former ministers Ricardo Bonilla (Treasury) and Luis Fernando Velasco (Interior), revealing a forceful accusation: the existence of a “criminal pact” between both former officials to manipulate decisions in Congress and direct contracts of State entities.

The accusing body assured that the purpose of this criminal pact was to ensure legislative majorities in favor of the Executive, through corrupt practices.

The former ministers were charged with aggravated conspiracy, undue interest in the execution of contracts and bribery for giving and offering. However, at the beginning of the hearing both pleaded not guilty and rejected the charges, insisting that they did not participate in any illegal agreement.

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During the hearing, the prosecutor in the case provided details of the evidentiary material that links the former officials to the scandal of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). According to the accusation, Bonilla and Velasco would have agreed between themselves and with third parties to offer management of contracts, agreements and projects of the State, in exchange for congressmen attending and voting in favor of initiatives of the national government.

The investigating entity also pointed out that the former ministers operated as determiners within the corruption network revealed in the UNGRD, an entity from which projects were managed to ensure political support in the Legislature.

After the accusation, and given the refusal of the former ministers to accept the charges, the Prosecutor’s Office announced that it will request a measure of security in prison for both, arguing that they represent a risk to society and to the advancement of the judicial process.

The case continues to develop and could escalate even further within the national political landscape, given that it involves two key figures in President Gustavo Petro’s cabinet.

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