What happened?
On 4 June, Semana, a Colombian magazine, released a series of audio messages sent by Armando Benedetti (Colombian ambassador to Venezuela) to Laura Sarabia (Former chief of staff of the Presidency), threatening to reveal damaging information about President Gustavo Petro's presidential campaign, which Benedetti was in charge of the last year. He mentioned that the campaign received around USD 3.4 million, but he questioned the legitimacy of how that money was obtained. This has shaken the government and raised serious concerns about civil liberties and the transparency of intelligence agencies.

The scandal revolves around two key members of President Petro's inner circle: his chief of staff, Laura Sarabia, and the Colombian ambassador to Venezuela, Armando Benedetti, who previously served as Petro's campaign manager. It all began with accusations made by Sarabia that her child's nanny, Marelbys Meza, had stolen USD 7,000 from her home.A senior analyst for Colombia at the International Crisis Group said: "It's a reality of Colombian politics that elections, particularly in the coastal region, have traditionally been plagued by the corruption of the sort that is mentioned in the tapes."

What is the background?
Firstly, Columbia's history of surveillance abuses and violations of civil liberties, including illegal wiretapping. In 2008, the now-defunct Administrative Department of Security (DAS) was engaged in widespread illegal surveillance, including wiretapping of human rights activists, journalists, judges, and politicians who were critical of the government. In 2011, the DAS got dismantled. Analysts point to a systemic infringement of civil liberties, irrespective of the political party in power, highlighting the need for structural reforms and effective parliamentary commissions to address these issues. 

Second, political instability in the making. The current scandal has led to the suspension of debates on the President's reform proposals and has caused significant political unrest in Colombia. It evokes doubts about the case being backed up by the opposition party. Petro has responded to all the comments and indicated that his "political opponents" were trying to carry out a "soft coup" against his administration. The same term was used by a group of leftist leaders countrywide in a letter on 7 June accusing the country's opposition party is working illegally to remove Petro from power.

Third, the differences over reforms. Petro proposed several social and economic reforms in February to Colombia's Congress. They include healthcare improvements, labour, and pension reforms, free access to university education, and subsidies for vulnerable groups. However, opposition parties were against the reforms and argued they might jeopardize economic stability and increase poverty. The differences over the reforms have resulted in a stalemate.

What does it mean?
Firstly, Columbia's history of surveillance abuses and violations of civil liberties, including illegal wiretapping. In 2008, the now-defunct Administrative Department of Security (DAS) was engaged in widespread illegal surveillance, including wiretapping of human rights activists, journalists, judges, and politicians who were critical of the government. In 2011, the DAS got dismantled. Analysts point to a systemic infringement of civil liberties, irrespective of the political party in power, highlighting the need for structural reforms and effective parliamentary commissions to address these issues. 

Second, political instability in the making. The current scandal has led to the suspension of debates on the President's reform proposals and has caused significant political unrest in Colombia. It evokes doubts about the case being backed up by the opposition party. Petro has responded to all the comments and indicated that his "political opponents" were trying to carry out a "soft coup" against his administration. The same term was used by a group of leftist leaders countrywide in a letter on 7 June accusing the country's opposition party is working illegally to remove Petro from power.
Third, the differences over reforms. Petro proposed several social and economic reforms in February to Colombia's Congress. They include healthcare improvements, labour, and pension reforms, free access to university education, and subsidies for vulnerable groups. However, opposition parties were against the reforms and argued they might jeopardize economic stability and increase poverty. The differences over the reforms have resulted in a stalemate.