Papi I'll see you succeed in this management, hours before the election of controller, remind Carlos Mario Zuluaga his closeness with lawyer of petrismo

Carlos Mario Zuluaga, a former vice-controller of Colombia and current candidate for the position of comptroller general, has found himself under scrutiny ahead of the congressional vote for the new comptroller. The controversy centers around his alleged close relationship with Miguel Ángel del Río, a lawyer known for ties to the Petro movement, and their discussions regarding the acquisition of 20 trucks owned by the Special Assets Society (SAE). These conversations reportedly took place while Zuluaga was still serving as vice-comptroller and suggest potential impropriety in how the request for these vehicles was handled. According to reports from Semana, Zuluaga exchanged messages with del Río that included personal expressions of support and references to shared interests. One message reads, “Papi te veré exitoso en esta gestión… Eres un sol, me va a mandar el catálogo,” which translates to, “Daddy, I will see you successful in this management… You're a star, you'll send me the catalog.” This informal tone contrasts sharply with the formal nature of official communications typically associated with government functions. The exchanges reportedly involved more than just pleasantries. They included documents related to an extension of an audit being conducted by the Comptroller’s Office on the SAE. According to sources within the Comptroller's office, the intent behind these communications appeared to be securing the delivery of the trucks in exchange for delaying the audit of the SAE. This arrangement raised concerns about whether the process adhered to proper procedures and whether there were undue influences at play. Zuluaga previously defended the request made by the SAE for an extension of its audit, stating that such requests are common and part of due process. He emphasized that subjects under surveillance have the right to seek such extensions, and that the mechanism exists to ensure fairness and contradiction in proceedings. The chats form part of a broader investigation into del Río, who faces multiple allegations including those involving Ximena Bustamante, his former spouse. Bustamante claims that del Río orchestrated a scheme to undermine several high-profile figures, including former President Alvaro Uribe and others. She alleges that del Río was involved in creating scenarios designed to discredit her and remove her from public life. These accusations have been submitted to the Attorney General's Office, though no official response has yet been issued. Del Río's connections extend beyond legal matters. His name has surfaced in relation to Manuel Castañeda, known as the "narcotaxi driver," suggesting further layers of complexity in the web of relationships and potential conflicts of interest surrounding him. The involvement of these individuals raises questions about the integrity of processes involving the SAE and the extent of influence wielded by certain actors within the system. As the congressional vote approaches, the focus shifts back to Zuluaga, whose candidacy now appears clouded by these revelations. The closeness between Zuluaga and del Río, once viewed as a personal connection, now stands at the center of allegations that could impact the legitimacy of the upcoming election for comptroller general. The situation underscores the need for transparency and accountability in governmental operations, particularly in roles that oversee financial oversight and regulatory compliance.