Former director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) Olmedo López and the former deputy director for Disaster Management of this entity Sneyder Pinilla They did not accept the five charges brought by the Prosecutor’s Office, This Thursday, July 25, due to the corruption scandal in the National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) and assured that They are agreeing to a collaboration agreement with the Justice system.
“I am advancing (an agreement) within the framework of a principle of opportunity with the Attorney General’s Office of the Nation, in that order of that agreement that is being advanced, for the moment, your honor, I do not accept the charges.“said López, who was appointed by President Gustavo Petro to manage this agency in charge of dealing with catastrophes and emergencies in April 2023.
(See: Prosecutors speak of the alleged ‘determining role’ of the Ministry of Finance in the UNGRD case).
For his part, Pinilla argued in court: “Even though I fear for my life (…) and I am currently immersed in a principle of opportunity with the Prosecutor’s Office, I do not accept charges.“.
Lopez and Pinilla were accused by the crimes of aggravated conspiracy to commit a crime, aggravated embezzlement by appropriation, undue interest in the conclusion of contracts, ideological falsehood in a public document and falsehood in a private document, Andrea Muñoz, deputy prosecutor at the Supreme Court of Justice, explained during the hearing held at the 35th Court of Guarantees in Bogotá.
The charge originates from the Alleged embezzlement of 46.8 billion pesos (about 11.7 million dollars) for the purchase by UNGRD of 40 tanker trucks to transport drinking water to desert areas of the Caribbean department of La Guajira.
(See: Corruption at UNGRD: Petro’s response to the outflow of resources to the ELN).
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, in addition to López – who was appointed to the post by President Petro – and Pinilla, the corruption plot also involves Luis Eduardo Lopez Rosero, for being a contractor in the purchase of the tank trucks and, according to the accusation, having received 13% of the tender.
The prosecuting body argued at the hearing that Lopez kept 724 million pesos (about $179,000), while Pinilla 324 million pesos (about $80,000) in bribes and contracts.
Sneyder Pinilla .
Besides, Pinilla was allegedly given 4.276 million pesos (one million dollars) for the tanker truck contract to distribute bribes to other people.
(See: Petro apologized to the country for the corruption scandal at UNGRD).
According to information published by the media, they would also be involved: Sandra Ortiz, who was a councilor for the Regions; Ivan Name, of the Green Party and who was president of the Senate in the previous legislature (2023-2024), and Andres Calle, who has just left the presidency of the House.
They also appear in the complaints Carlos Ramon Gonzalez, who last year headed the Administrative Department of the Presidency, from where he allegedly gave the order to pay bribes to Name and Calle. González is the current head of the National Intelligence Directorate.
It was also mentioned that Minister of Finance, Ricardo Bonilla, who would have authorized the disbursement of the UNGRD budget, although the minister said today that he hopes to be summoned to court to be able to defend himself and prove his innocence.
(See: President Petro’s position on his minister implicated in the UNGRD scandal).
EFE
