Lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella has accused 29 politicians of participating in a vote-buying network designed to benefit Cepeda, according to local media reports. De la Espriella requested that the United States government and an entity identified as Landau monitor these politicians, sparking a series of public denials and sharp rebuttals from the accused parties.
- Accuser: Abelardo de la Espriella
- Accused: 29 politicians, including Martha Peralta, Felipe Harman, and Agmeth Escaf
- Alleged Beneficiary: Cepeda
- Action Taken: Request for monitoring by the U.S. government and Landau
Who are the politicians accused of vote buying?
The allegations center on a reported network of 29 political figures who allegedly coordinated to purchase votes. According to local media reports, the primary objective of this operation was to secure an advantage for Cepeda. De la Espriella has specifically called for international oversight, urging the United States and Landau to keep a close watch on the involved politicians to ensure accountability for the alleged electoral fraud.
How have the accused politicians responded?
Several of the targeted individuals have issued public statements denying the claims. Martha Peralta, Felipe Harman, and Agmeth Escaf collectively rejected the allegations, according to public statements. They characterized De la Espriella’s claims as “irresponsible affirmations.”
The dispute shifted from legal allegations to personal attacks when Agmeth Escaf responded to the request for U.S. intervention. According to reports from local media, Escaf claimed that De la Espriella
“behaves like the dog of the US.”
Why this dispute is escalating
The conflict highlights a sharp contrast in strategy between the accuser and the accused. While De la Espriella is attempting to internationalize the dispute by involving U.S. authorities and external monitors, the politicians involved are framing the accusations as baseless attacks. This tension reflects a broader clash between De la Espriella and supporters of the current administration, often referred to as “petrismo.”
