Colombian President Under Investigation Over Alleged Illegal Funding Of Election Campaign

Colombia's Commission of Investigation and Accusation has ordered a probe against President Gustavo Petro over allegations of illegally funding his election campaign.

The congressional committee, responsible for addressing complaints against the president, disclosed Wednesday that it ordered an investigation to get more information on alleged irregular campaign funds, involving Gustavo's son, Nicolas Petro.

The committee said the evidence was required for "clarifying the facts," but did not mention if they planned to order the president to testify, AP News reported.

If the president was involved in the money laundering case, then 16 members of the committee might take action and file a bill of impeachment in the full House of Representatives. After the House agrees with the bill, the case will be forwarded to the Senate for a trial, leading the president to leave office.

Nicolas, 37, previously served as the former member of the Departmental Assembly of Atlántico of Colombia from 2020 to 2023.

He was arrested in July for being a part of a high-profile money laundering case. He was charged with receiving money, which was aside from his earnings as a politician.

After his arrest and further investigation, prosecutors said they found a portion of that cash was credited to the president's election campaign last year.

In July, the president clarified that he won't be interfering in the investigation. However, he noted that it was painful to watch his son go to jail.

"As an individual and father, it pains me to see so much self destruction and one of my sons going to jail," the president said on social media, The Guardian reported. "As president of the republic, I've assured the chief prosecutor's office that it will have all of the guarantees so it can proceed according to the law."

Petro shares seven kids with his wife, Verónica Alcocer García, the first lady of Colombia.