Colombian Corruption Scandal Exposes Regional Complicity and Diplomatic Failures

In a saga that underscores the complex web of corruption and diplomatic entanglements threatening Latin American governance, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro announced his intent to demand Nicaragua hand over Carlos Ramón González, the former director of Colombia’s Administrative Department of the Presidency (Dapre), suspected of orchestrating one of the gravest corruption scandals in his administration.González stands accused in a massive scheme involving bribery payments to legislators in exchange for legislative favors—funded by embezzled resources intended for critical disaster relief efforts. The scandal centers on misappropriated funds from Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), originally allocated to purchase vital...