“He declarado sobre lo que me consta”: Sneyder Pinilla responde a señalamientos contra el magistrado Vladimir Fernández

Sneyder Pinilla, former deputy director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (Ungrd), has responded to recent claims linking Magistrate Vladimir Fernández with corruption allegations involving the unit. In a letter published after media reports surfaced about alleged chats connecting Fernández to the case, Pinilla denied any involvement and clarified his position regarding the magistrate’s role. Pinilla stated that the only information he can confirm about Fernández is that the current judge was previously the legal secretary of the presidency under President Gustavo Petro. According to him, Olmedo López, former head of the Ungrd, had recommended a woman to advise his boss at the time following an investigation by the National Audit Office. Pinilla emphasized that he does not protect anyone and will not use the justice system to spread false accusations or distort public perception. The conversations in question were published by the magazine Cambio. One notable exchange took place on January 9, 2024, where, according to the publication, Pinilla allegedly delivered a payment to Irma Solangel Torres, a lawyer, related to funds used for the so-called "carrot tanks" scandal in La Guajira. Pinilla denied this, explaining that he was present at the lawyer's apartment on that day at the request of Olmedo López, who wanted him to explain his situation to the jurist for possible legal advice. He stressed that nothing else occurred. Pinilla reiterated that he has already testified before judicial authorities and handed over his phone, messages, photographs, contracts, and documents to the prosecution. His cooperation was approved twice by judges overseeing his rights. He acknowledged his participation in the distribution of money to bribe lawmakers, as instructed by Olmedo López, former head of the Ungrd. According to his account, the Supreme Court itself noted in an order against Iván Name and Andrés Calle that López had declared on the matter, including the instruction to secure 4 billion pesos and deliver them to these congressmen. Regarding the value of his testimony, Pinilla said that the information he provided has contributed to judicial actions where individuals have accepted charges, signed plea agreements, or participated in early settlement programs. There are also ongoing proceedings and court decisions, each of which must be handled with due process. In response to questions about gaps in evidence, Pinilla explained that he himself disclosed how he deleted several conversations, such as those with Mr. Rosero, known as El Pastuso. He also addressed the absence of location data from his phone, noting that he had used multiple devices at the time, some of which were destroyed when the scandal began, unaware that he would later collaborate with the judiciary. On September 30, the Constitutional Court held a special session to evaluate allegations against Magistrate Vladimir Fernández. Despite repeated mentions of his name in the Ungrd corruption case, no formal investigation into him has been initiated. In response, Pinilla sent a letter stating that he has provided all relevant information to the Public Prosecutor’s Office concerning the diversion of millions in contracts linked to the scandal. He reaffirmed his commitment to continue cooperating with authorities, declaring that he has nothing to hide and will keep speaking about what he witnessed and knows directly.