Within the framework of the investigation carried out by the network of corruption in the National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD), Judge Misael Rodríguez, of the Investigative Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, is evaluating the statements of two advisors from the Ministry of Finance to make decisions regarding the case.
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Specifically, these are the testimonies of Andrea Carolina Ramírez Olivera and María Alejandra Benavides Soto.
In the case of Benavides, the former official mentioned to the Prosecutor’s Office an alleged agreement in which the former Minister of Finance, Ricardo Bonilla, would be participants; the presidential advisor, Jaime Ramírez Cobo, and the then Minister of the Interior, Luis Fernando Velasco, to buy congressmen through contracts with the UNGRD for 92,000 million pesos.
His statement would ratify what was previously stated by former Unidad officials: Olmedo López and Sneyder Pinilla, who are also involved in the scandal.
However, apparently, some contradictions would be evident in contrast to what was said by his predecessor in the position, Andrea Ramírez.
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Ricardo Bonilla.
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Ramírez’s version
Andrea Ramírez’s statements were made known on December 4, when it emerged that the former advisor, who held the position before Benavides, was on maternity leave in the period in which the alleged pacts were made between congressmen and the then Minister of Finance.
Those close to Ramírez assured that the former official had noticed her replacement’s inexperience in several issues. In fact, it is also mentioned that the latter would have requested an urgent meeting because I was not clear about the functioning of the Ministry and his functions as Minister Bonilla’s liaison with Congress.
Apparently, from that conversation the creation of an Excel table with three columns would have emerged: name of the congressman, region, project and value of the work. However, Ramírez assures that the only indication he gave Benavides was to keep the former portfolio holder informed of the information with senators and representatives.
UNGRD
The name of the former advisor began to be heard in the case after her temporary successor pointed out that, although she was on leave, she had never lost control of the office. This included the supervision of commitments with congressmen of the economic commissions.
Although both testimonies are still being evaluated, Ricardo Bonilla’s statement is still pending, from which new events could emerge.
If you want to read more details about the case, click here.
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PORTFOLIO
*With information from the INVESTIGATIVE UNIT of EL TIEMPO
