The president of the National Electoral Council (CNE), César Lorduy, flatly denied the accusations about an alleged coup against President Gustavo Petro, after the opening of an investigation for alleged violation of spending limits in his 2022 electoral campaign. .
During an interview with La W Radio, Lorduy clarified that the judicial process carried out by the CNE is in its initial phase and that the objective is to guarantee respect for the legal and constitutional framework of the country.
The magistrate explained that so far only the opening of an investigation has been formulated, which could culminate in a financial penalty if irregularities are proven. «We have not completed an investigation, what we did was a preliminary investigation that resulted in the opening of a process. After hearing the relevant evidence, the CNE Plenary Chamber will make a decision. This can end in a financial sanction,” explained Lorduy, stressing that this decision is still pending evaluation.
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Regarding the accusations of a possible coup d’état, Lorduy was emphatic: “A coup d’état implies a decision outside the legal framework and the Constitution. We are acting in accordance with the law and jurisprudenceis a procedure typical of a rule of law. President Petro can rest assured; “The CNE has neither the power nor the intention to remove him.”
The Plenary Chamber of the CNE decided to file charges against Gustavo Petro, in his capacity as candidate, and against Ricardo Roa, his campaign manager.for the alleged violation of the spending limits established during the 2022 presidential campaign. This type of investigation is not unusual in the Colombian electoral field, and according to Lorduy himself, the established protocols are being complied with without this meaning a threat to democracy.
“The CNE fully respects the president as an institutional figure and there is no intention to go beyond our powers,” stressed the president of the organization.
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