Exclusive: Angie Rodríguez revealed the plan of the Petro government for former paramilitary chiefs to accuse Abelardo De La Espriella, Álvaro Uribe and Germán Vargas Lleras in the middle of the presidential campaign

A Colombian government official has revealed claims that President-elect Gustavo Petro orchestrated a strategy involving former paramilitary leaders to accuse opposition figures during the presidential campaign. According to Angie Rodríguez, head of the Adaptation Fund, the alleged plan aimed to link Abelardo De La Espriella, Álvaro Uribe, and the late German Vargas Lleras with paramilitary groups. Rodríguez made these allegations before the Commission of Accusations, citing involvement from Juliana Guerrero and references to insults directed at Petro. The purported scheme centered around an event in Valledupar, organized under the guise of concluding the Ralito Pact, but allegedly intended to implicate De La Espriella, Uribe, and Vargas Lleras in paramilitary ties. Rodríguez stated she attended the gathering, which included prominent ex-paramilitary leaders such as Mancuso, Macaco, Jorge 40, and the German. She described how she was instructed by Interior Minister Armando Benedetti to ensure the participants spoke about the three politicians during the meeting. Rodríguez expressed concern over the potential consequences of her role in the event. She recounted contacting officials from the National Identification Directorate and others, seeking reassurance amid fears of poisoning or attacks by the ELN, which had been positioned nearby. The tension reached a peak when Jorge 40 and Salvatore Mancuso, long estranged, unexpectedly reunited and embraced during the meeting, leaving Rodríguez stunned. The event, officially labeled as part of the broader "Social Dialogue for Total Peace," was publicly announced but reportedly had ulterior motives. Rodríguez claimed she felt pressured to facilitate discussions that could damage the reputations of key political opponents ahead of the election. Despite her concerns, the event proceeded with the participation of several high-profile ex-paramilitary figures. The allegations have been submitted to the Attorney General's Office for investigation. Rodríguez’s testimony, obtained by Semana, includes detailed accounts of the interactions and instructions she received. Her account suggests a coordinated effort to influence public perception through strategic dialogue with former paramilitary leaders. Rodríguez’s relationship with Petro has evolved significantly since their initial admiration, leading to legal disputes and personal disillusionment. The revelations about the Valledupar meeting add another layer of complexity to this evolving dynamic. The involvement of multiple ex-paramilitary leaders in the event raises questions about its true purpose and implications for Colombia’s ongoing peace process. The meeting took place in a highly sensitive period, with political tensions running high as the election approached. Rodríguez’s claims remain under scrutiny, with authorities analyzing whether the event was indeed part of a larger political maneuver. The outcome of the investigation could impact perceptions of both Petro’s administration and the credibility of the peace negotiations with former paramilitary groups. The situation highlights the intricate interplay between politics and security in Colombia, where historical grievances and current power struggles often intersect. As the investigation continues, further details are anticipated regarding the roles of all parties involved and the potential consequences of the alleged actions.