In Colombia, the government of Gustavo Petro is facing an internal crisis following explosive statements by Angie Rodriguez, who until recently was part of the president’s inner circle. In an interview with the local magazine Semana, the former official alleged the existence of corruption and espionage within the administration, directly pointing to several members of the executive branch.
Rodriguez said that at least 20 government officials may be involved in irregular practices, although she focused her accusations on three key figures. Among them, she highlighted Carlos Carrillo, current director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), which immediately raised political tensions and triggered a chain of reactions both inside and outside the government.
The response was swift. Carrillo rejected the allegations and fired back, accusing Rodriguez of alleged acts of corruption at the Adaptation Fund, an entity she has led since January. The exchange of accusations took the case to a new level, opening the door to investigations and deepening a crisis that directly undermines the credibility of the executive.
Petro’s former top official alleges corruption scheme in Colombian Government
In her testimony, Rodriguez described what she considers a widespread system of corruption within the government. According to her account, there are practices aimed at steering contracts and managing public resources in an irregular manner, with the involvement of officials at different levels of the administration.
Although she did not detail each case, she maintained that the irregularities are not isolated but part of a broader dynamic, compounded by alleged threats against her. “I grew tired of the premeditated and systematic campaign against me,” she told Semana magazine. “It is a very well-structured reputational attack by more than twenty people who have tried to push me out of the government,” she told the outlet.
One of the most sensitive aspects of her allegations involves alleged espionage. The former official claimed that surveillance of individuals, including other officials, may have taken place within the government, raising questions about the use of state capabilities for improper purposes. Rodriguez presented alleged chats that she says demonstrate the extortion she claims Carrillo subjected her to.
The impact of her statements also stems from her previous position within the executive. Rodriguez served until the beginning of the year as director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency (DAPRE), and therefore was an official with access to internal information and dynamics, which gives political weight to her words and compels authorities to respond more forcefully.
Focus on Carlos Carrillo, who points to Rodriguez
Although Rodriguez mentioned around twenty officials, her accusations placed particular emphasis on three of them, concentrating media and political attention. Among those named, Carlos Carrillo has been the most visible, in part due to his current role at the head of one of the most sensitive entities in the management of emergencies and public resources, which is already under judicial scrutiny for potential misappropriation of funds in periods prior to Carrillo’s leadership.
The accusations against these officials have not only sparked political debate but could also have legal implications. The scale of the allegations and the nature of the supposed irregularities compel oversight authorities to intervene to determine whether there are disciplinary or criminal responsibilities.
The fact that Rodriguez chose to focus more strongly on a smaller group within those implicated suggests, according to analysts, that the most serious or representative practices she described may be concentrated there. However, so far, no conclusive public evidence has been presented to support each of her claims.
Far from limiting himself to denying the accusations, Carrillo responded with direct allegations against Rodriguez. The official stated that irregularities may have occurred during her tenure at the Adaptation Fund that warrant investigation, shifting the focus of the scandal toward the former official’s management.
This exchange of accusations led to the intervention of the Attorney General’s Office — the body that oversees the management of public resources — which summoned Carrillo to expand on his complaint. The watchdog’s action marks the beginning of a process that could escalate in the coming days as testimonies are gathered and available evidence is analyzed.
Carrillo’s defense strategy aims to question Rodriguez’s credibility, suggesting that her allegations may be driven by personal interests or by an attempt to divert attention from her own management. This narrative, however, will also be subject to scrutiny as part of the investigations.
Political repercussions and institutional pressure
The scandal has had an immediate impact on the political landscape, already immersed in the election campaign for the May 31 presidential elections. Opposition sectors have demanded explanations from the government and called for thorough investigations to clarify the facts. At the same time, within the ruling coalition, there have been calls for caution, pending authorities’ determination of the veracity of the allegations.
The Presidency thus faces a new challenge amid an already complex context. The accusations of corruption and espionage, coming from a former high-ranking official, once again erode the government’s image and raise doubts about the internal management of the administration.
Beyond the political standoff, the case also tests the ability of institutions to respond quickly and transparently. The actions of oversight bodies will be key to determining whether the allegations have merit and to establishing any potential responsibilities.
For now, the scandal is still unfolding and there are no definitive conclusions. Rodriguez’s allegations and Carrillo’s responses have opened multiple lines of investigation that could take months to resolve. Meanwhile, the country is witnessing a new episode of political confrontation marked by serious accusations and conflicting accounts within the same government.
In an electoral context, the scandal adds pressure on Petro’s government, which will have to face not only the immediate political consequences but also the challenge of restoring trust amid one of the most controversial episodes of its administration in the final stretch of its term.