Petro's son defends himself against accusations of alleged bribery: "My money does not come from the mafia"

MADRID, 6 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Nicolás Petro, the eldest son of the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has defended himself this Sunday, denying the accusations of corruption that local media have denounced and for which he is currently being investigated.

"Faced with the accusations that have been made against me in recent days, I would like to inform you that I am fully willing to appear before the control entities and confirm my innocence," he indicated, according to a statement released. through their social networks.

Petro, who is also a deputy in the Assembly of the department of Atlántico, has wanted to "clarify to public opinion and the media that the money in question does not come from the mafia, nor from corruption, nor from any illegal activity." : "I will corroborate that before the Justice, as it corresponds", he has asserted.

In addition, he has criticized the media that have "violated" his "space of residence, without authorization or prior conversation", since it "borders on harassment". "I will always be open to respond to requests from the press," she added.

Nicolás Petro has also announced that he has decided to refrain "from participating in any type of political activity related to the upcoming electoral contest," as well as in political campaigns, "until ratifying" his innocence, the letter continues.

"In these days I have received an unprecedented social and media lynching, where I have been tried and convicted, violated my fundamental rights such as the presumption of innocence and due process, where people I considered friends, to whom I extended my hand, they have turned their backs on me. I trust justice and I know that I will ratify my innocence before it," he declared.

The Colombian Attorney General's Office announced on Friday the opening of an investigation against Nicolás Petro, after his father, the country's president, requested the entry of the Prosecutor's Office due to rumors that both he and his brother Juan Fernando Petro Urrego had collected bribes. to include criminals in the peace processes carried out by the Government.

The attorney general, Margarita Cabello, explained that as soon as she learned of the president's demands, she decided to open an investigation against his eldest son as he was "a public servant." "It is up to us to open the corresponding investigation to, after the evidentiary debate, make the corresponding decision," RCN collected.

On Thursday, President Petro surprised by issuing a statement asking the Prosecutor's Office to investigate both his eldest son and his brother due to rumors that they would be collecting bribes from members of armed groups and drug traffickers to take advantage of the government's total peace plan. .

According to what was his former sentimental partner, Daysuris Vásquez, Nicolás Petro received money for his campaign from drug trafficker Samuel Santander, alias 'The Marlboro Man', and from businessman Alfonso Hilsaca, who has also come forward denying that he had financed any matter and That is why he will file a defamation complaint with the Prosecutor's Office.