3 weeks ago
Colombia: $941 million embezzlement scandal hits former mayors, governors
Some people in Colombia are accused of stealing a very large amount of money - about 3 trillion pesos, which is around 941 million dollars.
This money belonged to the government and was meant to help the country.
Police and prosecutors say the people involved used fake documents to take the money.
The money was moved through something called the Sierra Nevada Mixed Fund, a group set up by a former mayor named Martin Zuleta.
Now, 13 people have been arrested.
The Supreme Court has also been asked to look into seven former governors.
They come from provinces called Magdalena, Vichada, Amazonas, Guaviare and Vaupes.
The problems were first noticed in 2024, when officials found issues with projects like building schools and helping indigenous communities.
One of the arrested men, Martin Zuleta, was taken to the hospital after a raid on his home.
Officials say he is helping with the investigation.
Colombian prosecutors uncovered the embezzlement of COP3 trillion (about $941 million or Rs 8,976 crore) from the General Royalties System.
Thirteen suspects are under arrest, including the mayor of María la Baja, a contractor, and former directors of the Sierra Nevada Mixed Fund.
Prosecutors have asked the Supreme Court to investigate seven former governors from Magdalena, Vichada, Amazonas, Guaviare and Vaupes.
The Sierra Nevada Mixed Fund, a public-private partnership created by former La Paz mayor Martin Zuleta and his family in early 2021, is central to the probe.
Irregularities first surfaced in 2024 in projects including a high school in Huila, funds for indigenous reserves in La Guajira, and school transport in Casanare.
- Who
- Former Colombian mayors and governors, including former La Paz mayor Martin Zuleta and former governors Rafael Martinez and Alvaro Leon, investigated by anti-corruption prosecutor Madeleyne Perez
- What
- Embezzlement of COP3 trillion (about $941 million) from the General Royalties System through the Sierra Nevada Mixed Fund
- Where
- Colombia, involving the provinces of Magdalena, Vichada, Amazonas, Guaviare, Vaupes, Huila, La Guajira and Casanare
- When
- Investigation ongoing; the fund was created in early 2021 and irregularities emerged in 2024
- Why
- Documents were allegedly forged to illegally appropriate funds from the General Royalties System for the mixed fund
Key facts
- Amount embezzled
- COP3 trillion (about $941 million / Rs 8,976 crore)
- Suspects arrested
- 13
- Former governors referred for investigation
- 7
- Fund at center of scandal
- Sierra Nevada Mixed Fund
- Fund created
- Early 2021 by Martin Zuleta and his family
- Provinces under investigation
- Magdalena, Vichada, Amazonas, Guaviare, Vaupes
- First irregularities detected
- 2024
- Lead prosecutor
- Madeleyne Perez
Quotes
Anti‑corruption prosecutor Madeleyne Perez
Anti‑corruption prosecutor
“So far, we’ve tracked 3 trillion pesos, of which it has been established that some were misappropriated through irregular contracts.”
wionews.com











