Colombia’s President Petro replaces finance minister embroiled in scandal
Al JazeeraDEC 2024
Colombia's Petro Appoints New Finance Minister Amid Corruption Scandal
Above: Colombian Pres. Gustavo Petro delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the COP16 summit in Cali, Colombia on Oct. 20, 2024. Image copyright: Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Make no mistake, Bonilla was forced to step down due to politically motivated persecution as the far-right attempts to derail economic reforms and topple the government. Some technocrats in the Ministry of Finance are loyal to Álvaro Uribe and Iván Duque, rather than to the nation, and they have done all they could to tarnish the reputation of Bonilla.
Right narrative
It's not just Bonilla who must resign over corruption allegations, but the entire Petro administration. Ever since the leftist president took office, corruption has become systemic in Colombia. The water tankers scandal is just one to have been reported in the UNGRD, with others including contracts awarded to the ELN guerrillas in exchange for peace talks.