
Human Colombia Party Spokesperson Denies Alleged Campaign Contributions from ‘Sobrino’s’ Wife

Eduardo Noriega, the spokesperson for Human Colombia party, has denied allegations of campaign contributions from Sandra Navarro, the wife of Juan Carlos Lopez, also known as ‘Sobrino, to President Gustavo Petro’s campaign.
During a radio interview, Noriega stated that he did not believe that the audio fragments presented provided evidence of drug trafficking funds entering the campaign. He noted that there was a conversation between Sonia Bernal (member of Historial Pact) and Sandra Navarro, but Sonia claimed to have only interacted with Sandra three times and denied ever receiving the alleged payment of 800,000 pesos.
(Read Also: Guerrilla Movements in Colombia: FARC and ELN)
He further emphasized the party’s readiness to hold accountable those involved in such relations or who have received questionable contributions. In defending the party’s supporters, Noriega argued against tarnishing their integrity based on these allegations. He concluded by stating his intention to request an investigation into the individuals implicated in the audios.
Intercepted Conversations Expose Drug Trafficker’s Role in President Petro’s 2022 Campaign
Recent revelations, based on intercepted conversations by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Colombian prosecutor’s office, and the police, have shed light on the involvement and support of a drug trafficker and his wife in President Gustavo Petro’s 2022 campaign in the Casanare department.
Recordings made public by a local television network confirm that Juan Carlos Lopez Macias, also known as ‘Sobrino,’ and his wife, Sandra Navarro, held positions within the Historical Pact committee in the region. This contradicts the initial statement made by the head of state on August 13, 2023, when the first part of this complaint emerged. It appears that ‘Sobrino’s’ wife not only participated but also played a significant role in supporting then-candidate Petro.
(Also Read: Colombia’s Clock of Criminality: A Deep Dive into Rising Crime Rates)
Media Reveals Influence of Drug Trafficker’s Wife in President Petro’s Campaign
In addition, media reports have exposed a series of conversations highlighting the substantial influence of Lopez Macias’s spouse in the campaign that propelled the leftist leader to the presidency, defeating engineer Rodolfo Hernández. One conversation, dated March 12, 2022, reveals how Sonia Bernal, a Senate candidate for the Historical Pact at the time, allegedly sought financial assistance from Navarro to fund her campaign. Interestingly, Sonia later assumed the role of political director for the community in the department after her Senate bid failed.
According to the information, even the drug trafficker Juan Carlos Lopez closely monitored the election results on that day. He expressed concern that the Historical Pact might not secure victory, as heard in one of the audio recordings disclosed by a television channel. He questioned, ‘How can we ensure they won’t lose ground?.
In a video posted on social networks, Sonia Bernal, the former director of the Petro en Casanare campaign, stated that there were no contributions to the campaign’s financing from Sandra Navarro, the wife of the drug trafficker known as ‘El Sobrino.’ She mentioned that she was unaware of his background and the identity of his partner.
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