This is the last article you can read this month
You can read more article this month
You can read more articles this month
Sorry your limit is up for this month
Reset on:
Please help support the Morning Star by subscribing here
COLOMBIA’s congress will investigate President Ivan Duque after accusations of electoral fraud were brought by former congresswoman Aida Merlano.
The lower chamber’s accusation committee opened a preliminary investigation on Monday into whether businessman Julio Gerlein and the Char family bought votes for 10,000 pesos [£2.25] each to ensure Mr Duque’s election win in 2018.
Ms Merlano claimed that Mr Gerlein told her that he had invested in Mr Duque’s campaign and that the Char family “held fundraising” for it between contractors.
The Gerlein and Char families are among the most powerful and wealthy in Colombia, the latter made up of numerous influential business tycoons and politicians.
The committee, which is in charge of investigating figures who have immunity, is made up of politicians from various parties.
Although it has opened cases against several presidents in the past, it has never convicted anyone.
The investigation will seek to prove whether or not the head of state is responsible for electoral fraud, corruption and vote trafficking.
