The Attorney General of the Republic of Colombia ordered the conditional release of Nicolás Petro Burgos, the son of President Gustavo Petro, after being accused of money laundering and illicit enrichment. After the defendant agreed to cooperate with the authorities, Mario Andrés Burgos, the prosecutor in charge of the case, acknowledged last Friday that it was not necessary to keep him detained in police facilities or under house arrest, as the prosecution claimed. The president's son is already in his home in Barranquilla, Colombia. The young Petro was accused last week of receiving illicit money, with which he bought properties valued at more than $300,000 and financed his father's electoral campaign in 2022.
The conditions of the release of the firstborn will not allow him to leave the country or participate in political activities. "You have to maintain good conduct, you will have to appear at any call that is made on account of the process. You will be prohibited from leaving Colombia. You are also prohibited from participating in any political rally," said the judge in charge of the case. Following the sentence, the president's son has resigned from his position as deputy for the Atlantic region. The defendant will not be able to leave Barranquilla or have contact with any of the people involved in the case to maintain his probation.
Prosecutors have ensured that the president's son revealed that he received large sums of money from Samuel Santander Lopesierra and Gabriel Hilsaca Acosta, two men accused of criminal activity and drug trafficking in the United States. The president's son confirmed his return to Barranquilla through a message on his social networks. "I am now at home, calm and at peace. Thanks to all those people who gave me support in these difficult days," said the young Petro after being released.
However, both the eldest son and his ex-wife Daysuris Vázquez, also accused of participating in the money laundering operation, will continue to be investigated by the Prosecutor's Office for participating in signing false documents and contracts. Vázquez was accused of illicit enrichment, money laundering and violation of personal data. The young woman was also provisionally released last weekend.
Nicolás Petro's lawyer, José David Teleki, warned through a statement that his client's life is at risk after his release. According to Teleki, there are people who do not want the truth to come out about those involved in the exercise of corruption in the country. "My client is a key witness to completely disrupt a corrupt structure that must be investigated and that must bring those responsible before the courts," said the lawyer.
According to the Prosecutor's Office, Petro Burgos presented documentary evidence and audio recordings to prove that he received illicit money for his father's campaign last year. Until now, President Gustavo Petro has not commented on the release of his son. The provisional release of the firstborn, according to several Colombian media, has affected the reputation of the ruling party and has postponed possible peace negotiations with the country's criminal groups.
