Colombia President Accused of Campaign Financing Breach

Colombia's Electoral Authority said Tuesday it was investigating President Gustavo Petro for allegedly exceeding spending limits in his 2022 campaign by nearly one million dollars.

The president of the National Electoral Council (CNE) told reporters that Petro and some members of his campaign were suspected of overspending to the tune of $880,000.He would face financial penalties if found by the CNE to have breached campaign financing rules.

But the CNE could also refer the investigation to the lower house of Congress, which could initiate impeachment proceedings. Colombia's first left-wing president, who has repeatedly warned of an alleged plot to remove him from power, reacted angrily to the announcement of the probe.