Woman accuses Petro of giving contracts in exchange for sexual favors

Colombia’s Office of the Ombudsman has demanded immediate action regarding allegations against former President Gustavo Petro, stating that the gravity of the accusations leaves no room for delay. Ombudsman Iris Marín Ortiz issued a statement on Sunday, October 25, urging the Supreme Court’s Instruction Chamber, the House of Representatives’ Accusations Commission, and the Attorney General’s office to prioritize investigations into claims made by Deicy Alejandra Jiménez Ramírez. Marín Ortiz emphasized that authorities must guarantee the timely clarification of facts and apply sanctions if proven, while protecting victims regardless of the dignity of those potentially responsible. The allegations surfaced through an interview with former presidential candidate Vicky Dávila, published by the media outlet Semana. In the account, Jiménez, a 26-year-old woman, described a scheme in which she allegedly met Petro in 2019 via an adult website. She claimed that after establishing contact, Petro offered her public contracts in exchange for sexual favors, silence, and companionship at parties. Jiménez stated that this arrangement was part of a larger network involving approximately 30 to 40 women who operated under similar conditions to satisfy the former president’s sexual needs in return for government work. Public records reviewed by La Silla Vacía indicate that Jiménez held several government contracts starting in 2023, four years after she claimed to have met Petro. These contracts were with the Senate of the Republic, the Superintendency of Surveillance and Private Security, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Department Administrative of the Presidency, known as Dapre. One specific contract dated September 27, 2023, exceeded 34 million Colombian pesos and was linked to Senator Maria Jose Pizarro, although the exact nature of the contractual link remains under verification. Semana also cited screenshots showing contracts with Congress dating back to 2021 and 2022. During the interview, Jiménez acknowledged holding contracts with the Superintendency and the Ministry of the Interior, noting that she received no direct cash payments but was supported through these agreements. The timing of the revelation coincides with recent statements by Carlos Rios, the current Director of Dapre. Rios recently told the Second Committee of the Senate that he would denounce Petro for using contracts to instrumentalize 48 women. He alleged that the presidential palace was organized to facilitate parties and bring women to the residence, binding them through contracts and special procurement processes. Rios stated that these women were speaking with him about how they were manipulated to stay with the president. In the detailed interview, Jiménez explained that she contacted Dávila because she trusted the journalist’s work and wanted to expose what she viewed as abuse of power. She recounted receiving a message on July 28, shortly before the inauguration of President Abelardo De La Espriella, expressing her desire to break her silence due to fears for her safety while Petro remained in power. They met in person on August 28. Jiménez described herself as having minimal schooling and a humble background. She stated that accepting companionship roles led to a form of control that prevented her from speaking out. Evidence presented includes photographs of men’s clothing, though ownership was not specified, and screenshots of conversations on Facebook Messenger with users identified as Mihail Bukharin, Altheais Monteluz, and Michel Foucault. The conversations contained references to Jesusita, a name matching a former private assistant to Petro before his presidency. Dávila stated that she possesses additional evidence but withheld publication, arguing that such materials should remain exclusively in the hands of competent authorities. Petro has not publicly responded to the specific details of the interview. Senator Maria Jose Pizarro, whose name appears in connection with one of the contracts, had not commented on the allegations as of the reporting time. The Ombudsman’s intervention marks a formal push for judicial scrutiny, shifting focus from political debate to legal proceedings. The investigation will likely examine whether public resources were exchanged for private benefits, a potential violation of administrative law and criminal statutes regarding corruption and abuse of authority. The case highlights tensions within the transition period following Petro’s departure from the Casa de Nariño. While some sectors view the revelations as necessary accountability, others question the timing and the role of media outlets in amplifying the narrative. The involvement of high-level officials in both the previous administration and the current oversight bodies adds complexity to the inquiry. Authorities are now tasked with verifying the authenticity of the digital evidence and the validity of the financial transactions cited by Jiménez. Legal experts note that proving a quid pro quo arrangement requires clear documentation linking specific sexual acts to specific contract awards. The existence of multiple women claiming similar experiences could strengthen the case for systemic misconduct, yet each claim must be individually substantiated. The Ombudsman’s call for speed suggests concern over potential evidence tampering or witness intimidation. As the investigation proceeds, attention will turn to the Supreme Court’s handling of the initial filings and the Attorney General’s decision on whether to open formal criminal probes. The outcome will determine whether the allegations result in legal penalties or remain a subject of political controversy. For now, the focus rests on the judicial institutions to provide clarity on the facts presented by the complainant.