Colombia investigating governors, mayors over $941M corruption racket

Colombian prosecutors have arrested 13 suspects and requested the Supreme Court's investigation into seven former governors in connection with a $941 million corruption scandal. The investigation centers around the Sierra Nevada Mixed Fund, a public-private partnership established by Martin Zuleta, former mayor of La Paz, and his family in early 2021. The fund allegedly exploited forged documents to unlawfully seize funds from the General Royalties System, with the assistance of governors from five provinces.

According to anti-corruption prosecutor Madeleyne Perez, authorities have traced 3 trillion pesos, of which some have been proven misappropriated through irregular contracts. The case has been forwarded to the Supreme Court for governors of Magdalena, Vichada, Amazonas, Guaviare, and Vaupes, as well as former governors Rafael Martinez of Magdalena and Alvaro Leon of Vichada.

The Sierra Nevada Mixed Fund, a non-profit organization, has been under investigation since 2024 following irregularities discovered in the construction of a high school in Huila province, funds for school transport in Casanare, and resources allocated to indigenous reserves in La Guajira. The non-profit was reportedly hired for numerous projects throughout Colombia by various authorities, bypassing the conventional bidding process.

Over 100 contracts between local and regional government entities and the non-profit have been uncovered, according to Caracol.

Martinez Zuleta was transported to a hospital after his residence was raided by prosecution officials, and he is expected to assist the prosecutors in their investigation of alleged corruption.