The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, confirmed this Friday, June 2, that he is withdrawing from office the ambassador of his country in Venezuela, Armando Bendetti, and the chief of staff, Laura Sarabia, after the scandal unleashed in recent days.
Petro assured that “while the investigation is being carried out, my dear and esteemed official and the ambassador withdraw from the Government so that from the power that these charges imply, there can be no mistrust that the investigation processes will not be altered.”
#ATTENTION | President Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) confirms that Armando Benedetti (@AABenedetti) and Laura Sarabia (@laurisarabia) leave the government. >> https://t.co/gmnGfxtaGA pic.twitter.com/epC2tnJjx0
– W Radio Colombia (@WRadioColombia) June 2, 2023
Similarly, the Colombian president denied that he had authorized tapping the phone of Sarabia’s babysitter.
“That is not true, they have not been given that order nor will they be given, because respect for Human Rights as enshrined in the Constitution is respected, the basis of democracy is respect for the Human Rights of any citizen, in our government will have democratic freedom,” he said in his speech.
Regarding Sarabia, the Colombian president regretted that she was in that situation and defended her from attacks and criticism by saying that her actions occurred within the framework of the law.
“They have not even stopped to think what a young woman, recently given birth, might think in her first maternal experience, when something happens in her domestic life and she reacts within the law,” said Petro.
After the announcement, Laura Sarabia sent a statement through social networks in which she assured that she “acted correctly” and fully, as well as said that she would be ready to respond and explain what happened.
All my gratitude President @petrogustavo! pic.twitter.com/oed3jbeSmi
— Laura Sarabia (@laurisarabia) June 2, 2023
President Gustavo Petro also stressed that his government is responsible for taking care of everyone, including opposition leaders.
«We take care of the opponents. Nothing can happen to them because they are under our responsibility. There will be nothing against them that clashes with the constitution and the law,” said the president.
He also urged the attorney general, Francisco Barbosa, to investigate “well” what he is doing and to do his job of raiding the houses of the leaders of criminal organizations “hurriedly.”
This situation stems from the fact that the phone of Sarabia’s babysitter was tapped without permission by the Colombian Police for an alleged investigation carried out against the Clan del Golfo, where they put this woman —whose name is Marelbys Meza— as part of of the criminal structure.
According to the Colombian Attorney General, Francisco Barbosa, Meza said that she had been questioned with a polygraph in the presidential palace premises as a suspect in the alleged theft of a briefcase with some 7,000 dollars that apparently belonged to Sarabia, who denounced on January 30 the theft from your home of that money.
In this regard, Petro denied knowing where the polygraph is, but he did say that he understands that it has existed since the first government of former President Juan Manuel Santos. In addition, he stated that he met Meza during the campaign and assured that he has nothing to fear from the government.
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