Colombia Probes Allegations Of Government Infiltration By Drug Trafficking Guerillas

Colombia Probes Allegations of Government Infiltration by Drug Trafficking Guerrillas Colombia Colombia’s military launched an investigation this week into allegations that senior army and intelligence officials passed sensitive information to the leader of an armed drug-trafficking organization, a scandal that is deepening the country’s diplomatic rift with the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported. The probe followed an explosive Sunday report by Colombian broadcaster Noticias Caracol, which found that Alexander Díaz, commander of a dissident guerrilla group, allegedly maintained channels of communication with high-ranking Colombian officials: These include retired Gen. Juan Miguel Huertas, who is head of the army’s personnel command, and Wilmer Mejía, a senior official at the National Intelligence Directorate. The documents – seized after the army detained Díaz and six others at a July 2024 checkpoint near the city of Medellín – reportedly describe the group’s efforts to acquire weapons, evade military operations, and, in some cases, receive help from contacts inside state institutions. The Caracol report said dissidents discussed making financial contributions to President Gustavo Petro’s 2022 campaign. The dissidents also referenced the armed group’s role in major attacks, including Diaz’s alleged involvement in the June 7 assassination of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, according to the City Paper Bogota, an English-language newspaper based in Colombia. The report has prompted fierce reactions across Colombia and sparked fears that former guerrilla fighters involved in cocaine trafficking have penetrated state institutions in the Petro administration. Colombian analysts warned that the allegations could further erode trust in the security services, while some opposition politicians have accused Petro of “treason” and called for his prosecution. On Monday, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez ordered a military investigation and insisted that “no illegal act will be tolerated.” Huertas has denied wrongdoing and pledged to cooperate. Petro has rejected the accusations as politically motivated, calling the claims against senior officers “false” and aimed at discrediting his administration. The allegations surfaced as relations between Bogotá and Washington continue to falter over record-high drug production. US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on Petro and accused Colombia of failing to curb soaring cocaine production. The Trump administration has also conducted strikes against alleged drug boats departing from Colombian and Venezuelan waters – operations that Petro has denounced as extrajudicial killings.