Colombia Suspended by Anti-Money Laundering Group After Report Declassification
- President Gustavo Petro declassified confidential information from the Egmont Group, revealing that the previous administration paid $11 million for Pegasus spyware.
- The Egmont Group suspended Colombia's access to its global information sharing platform, affecting its ability to combat financial crimes.
- Petro defended his actions as necessary for transparency, but the suspension raises concerns about the country's capability to address illegal transactions.
The Egmont Group, an international organization focused on combating money laundering, has suspended Colombia's access to its global information sharing platform. This decision follows President Gustavo Petro's declassification of confidential information obtained from the group, which he revealed during a televised speech. The information indicated that the previous Colombian administration, led by Iván Duque, had paid $11 million in cash to an Israeli company for Pegasus spyware, allegedly used to surveil political opponents and activists. Petro's disclosure has raised significant concerns regarding the integrity of Colombia's government and its previous actions. The Egmont Group's suspension means that Colombia will no longer have access to a secure web platform utilized by 177 member countries to share data on financial crimes. This action is expected to hinder Colombia's ability to detect and combat illegal transactions, particularly those linked to drug trafficking and organized crime. In defense of his actions, Petro stated that revealing the truth was essential for the nation's interests, emphasizing the need for transparency. He argued that the public deserves to know how the previous administration operated, particularly regarding the controversial use of surveillance technology against its own citizens. The suspension from the Egmont Group highlights the potential repercussions of political decisions on international cooperation in financial crime prevention. As investigations continue, the Colombian government faces challenges in restoring its credibility and ensuring effective measures against money laundering and related criminal activities.