The New Parapolitics

Former Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a two-page statement on Sunday, October 25, denying allegations that he exchanged government contracts for sexual services. The response came after Deicy Jimenez gave an exclusive interview to the magazine Semana, claiming she met Petro through an adult website and received state-funded contracts in return for intimate relations. Petro stated unequivocally that he has never delivered a contract in exchange for sex, describing such an act as something that would make him vomit. He argued that his administration’s public programs aimed to help poor women, mothers, and sex workers gain different life options, which he distinguished sharply from illicit transactions. Jimenez alleged that she was part of a network of young women who served the former president during his term. She described the group as consisting largely of high school graduates and webcam models who participated in Petro’s parties. According to her account, these women were compensated with contracts or state money. In the interview with Semana editor Vicky Davila, Jimenez identified specific entities where she held contracts due to Petro’s recommendation. These included the Senate, specifically under the office of Senator Maria Jose Pizarro, the Private Security Oversight Agency, and the Ministry of the Interior. She stated she held these positions for five years, including during Petro’s presidential campaign. When asked if Minister Armando Benedetti knew of her status as a recommended candidate at the Ministry of the Interior, Jimenez confirmed he did, though she noted she never spoke directly with him. She estimated that between 30 and 40 other women had similar experiences, characterizing the arrangement as an abuse of power used to silence critics. The revelation highlights a contradiction involving Senator Maria Jose Pizarro, who appointed Jimenez to a role supporting the First Vice Presidency of the Senate in 2023. That year, Pizarro led a commission tasked with investigating sexual violence within Congress, a body formed following accusations by Gustavo Bolivar regarding harassment networks in the legislature. Despite promising to expose abusive legislators, the commission produced a report citing nine cases but failed to establish the responsibility of any specific member. Pizarro, who placed the presidential sash on Petro in 2022, has not responded to inquiries regarding this new controversy. In his defense, Petro accused the current national government, led by Abelardo De La Espriella, of orchestrating a smear campaign against his private life. He claimed there was money behind the effort to uncover his personal history. Petro referenced a previous incident where rumors circulated about transgender girls being involved in scandals against him, alleging that vehicles were seen searching for them in the Santa Fe neighborhood to pay for false statements. He stated that those conducting this operation were caught in the act. Petro emphasized that women in the lowest socioeconomic stratum benefited most from his economic policies, noting their real incomes grew by 41 percent during his tenure. He linked this growth to reductions in child malnutrition and forced sex work. Addressing his personal conduct, Petro asserted that he has never coerced a woman and values freedom in his relationships. He identified himself as heterosexual while stating he does not criticize individuals with different sexual orientations or those practicing polyamory. He declared that he is faithful when in love and has never committed a crime in any sexual relationship. The former president admitted that in his youth, he occasionally visited brothels but stopped decades ago after finding the transactional nature of sex distasteful and observing the sadness of the men and women involved. Andrea Petro, the former president’s daughter, also reacted to the allegations via social media. She dismissed Jimenez’s claims, stating that the accuser is not the type of woman her father likes. She suggested that because Jimenez had nothing authentic to offer, she invented a persona. Andrea Petro characterized her father as someone who prefers women with dignity, personality, and character, rather than those who sell their principles for convenience. Separate investigative reporting by journalist Melquisedec Torres revealed a separate scandal known as the Valledupar Pact, which provides broader context to the political environment surrounding these allegations. This pact involved government officials offering benefits to former paramilitary leaders in exchange for their testimony against political rivals, including Abelardo De La Espriella, German Vargas Lleras, and Alvaro Uribe. The goal was to influence the upcoming presidential election by accusing these figures of complicity in crimes. Critics argue this maneuver mirrored historical pacts between politicians and paramilitaries, such as the Ralito Pact, where political power was traded for impunity and budget shares. The involvement of advisor Victor de Currea Lugo in conversations with paramilitary leader Salvatore Mancuso suggests an attempt to manipulate public opinion ahead of the elections. The current administration denies these characterizations, maintaining that the accusations against Petro are baseless. Meanwhile, the former president continues to assert that his record shows a commitment to social welfare, particularly for vulnerable women. The dispute over whether state resources were diverted for personal benefit remains central to the ongoing legal and political battles in Colombia. Jimenez’s claim of holding contracts in multiple ministries while allegedly providing sexual services raises questions about oversight mechanisms within the executive branch. The former senator Pizarro’s dual role in investigating sexual violence while employing the accuser adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. As the case develops, attention remains focused on whether evidence will emerge to corroborate Jimenez’s detailed account of the network and the specific financial transactions she describes.