Gabriela Munoz denies having intervened in appointments at Aerocivil

Gabriela Muñoz has denied involvement in personnel decisions at the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil), according to a statement released after recent allegations against her. Muñoz, who has been linked to accusations of forming a network of women influencing government affairs under President Gustavo Petro, clarified that she did not participate in hiring, pressures, recommendations, or any other actions that would have led to the employment of family members, friends, or third parties within the institution. The claims against Muñoz include allegations that she and her relatives benefited from contracts with the Aerocivil, while failing to disclose potential conflicts of interest. In response, President Petro publicly defended Muñoz, stating his disapproval of injustice and the destruction of individuals through false accusations. The Aerocivil itself issued a statement asserting that no public servant within its ranks enjoys privileges before the law or oversight bodies. In her statement, Muñoz described her role during her tenure at the Aerocivil as purely supportive, noting that her salary fell among the lowest levels within the organization. She emphasized that she did not hold any decision-making authority and that her presence was limited to assisting and administrative tasks, as per the invitation of the Aerocivil’s director. She further stated that she had no involvement in selecting or recommending any individuals for positions within the agency. According to reports, contracts involving Muñoz, her brother, and her cousins were related to support roles and advisory functions between 2025 and 2026. Daniel Briceño, a representative from the Urabá party who has accused Muñoz of being part of a broader scheme of preferential contracting, claimed that none of these individuals disclosed a conflict of interest due to familial ties. He also alleged that Muñoz played a role in the appointment of Luis Alfonso Martínez Chimenty as director in November 2025. Muñoz confirmed that her mother submitted their resumes for consideration, which became one of the latest fronts in the ongoing investigation. Liliana Olaya, Muñoz's mother, previously worked as a coordinator of counterintelligence at the National Intelligence Directorate (DNI) and admitted to having recommended at least six family members for employment there, including her two sons and four nephews. Muñoz acknowledged this and explained that her mother submitted the applications to the former Aerocivil director, whom she had a prior personal relationship with. President Petro has remained vocal in his defense of Muñoz, expressing concern over the implications of such allegations. Meanwhile, Angie Rodríguez, a critic of government corruption, has continued to highlight the issue, suggesting that Juliana Guerrero is also part of a similar network of influential women within the administration. According to Rodríguez, these women often enter high-level positions without formal qualifications, positioning themselves close to the president. Petro has denied any romantic relationships with these women, though this has not stopped the narrative around potential misconduct. The allegations surrounding corruption have become a critical challenge to the legacy of the current administration, especially given the proximity to the end of their term. This situation could potentially weaken the Historical Pact, the coalition supporting Petro, ahead of facing the incoming government led by Abelardo de la Espriella. De la Espriella is preparing a “white paper” aimed at reviewing past governance practices, using it as a tool to critique the outgoing administration. As the political landscape shifts, the outcome of these investigations and public statements will likely shape the future dynamics between the departing and incoming governments.