LA GUAJIRA, Colombia – A security detail assigned to a high-ranking member of Colombia’s Chamber of Representatives was arrested Monday carrying $145 million pesos (approximately $36,000 USD) in cash and campaign materials, sparking a political firestorm as the country approaches elections on March 8. Luis Alfredo Acuña Vega, an escort with the National Protection Unit (UNP) assigned to Jaime Luis Lacouture Peñaloza, the Secretary of the Chamber, was apprehended at a police checkpoint on the road between Distracción and Cuestecitas in La Guajira department. The incident has prompted an immediate investigation by both the Fiscalía (Prosecutor General’s Office) and the Procuraduría (Inspector General’s Office).
The arrest raises serious questions about potential vote buying and illicit campaign financing ahead of the upcoming Senate elections. According to authorities, Acuña Vega was transporting the money in a private vehicle, attempting to avoid standard security checks. The cash was found divided into seven envelopes, each marked with the names of individuals and locations within La Guajira, suggesting a targeted effort to influence voters. The names on the envelopes included Dévora Barros, ‘Beba’ Ramírez, Kevin Cantillo, Ghandy R., Rosa Pacheco, Edwin Solano, and Cristian Bermúdez. Authorities are currently working to verify the identities of those listed and their potential connection to the alleged scheme.
Political Connections and Allegations
The scandal quickly drew in prominent political figures. Lacouture and Daniel Restrepo, a current Representative seeking a Senate seat, are both identified as members of the Conservative Party, according to local authorities. Restrepo’s campaign materials were also found in the vehicle alongside the cash. Restrepo, who is seeking to replace the controversial Senator Carlos Trujillo, has denied any knowledge of the incident, stating that he believes the allegations are an attempt to damage his reputation. “We categorically reject any insinuation that links us to vote buying or any illegal practice,” Restrepo said, adding that his campaign is “based on honesty and respect for democracy.”
Further complicating the situation, reports have linked Lacouture and Restrepo to Cielomar Peñaloza de Lacouture, the mayor of Villanueva and mother of the Secretary of the Chamber. This alleged familial connection adds another layer to the unfolding investigation. The involvement of a UNP escort, tasked with protecting Lacouture, is particularly concerning, as it suggests a potential abuse of state resources for political gain.
The Investigation and Presidential Response
Augusto Rodríguez, head of the UNP, confirmed that an internal investigation has been launched to determine why Acuña Vega was using a private vehicle and carrying both campaign materials and a substantial sum of money. Rodríguez emphasized that the escort is paid with public funds through a formal agreement, and an explanation is required for his actions. Infobae reports that the UNP is cooperating fully with the Fiscalía and Procuraduría in their investigations.
The incident has also drawn a swift response from President Gustavo Petro, who ordered the National Police to arrest anyone involved in vote buying. “The national police have orders from the President of the Republic to arrest vote buyers and bring them before the prosecutor’s office for crimes against suffrage,” Petro stated on his official X account. “Vote buying allows criminals to take over the state and the law against the people.”
Tarjetones Pedagógicos and Potential Voter Coercion
Investigators discovered not only cash but also “tarjetones pedagógicos” – educational cards – alongside the money. According to investigators, these cards are often used as a tactic to induce voters, suggesting a deliberate attempt to influence electoral choices. The presence of these materials, combined with the targeted list of names on the envelopes, points to a potentially organized effort to manipulate the upcoming elections.
Authorities have reportedly identified three of the individuals named on the envelopes, but are investigating whether the names were used without their knowledge or consent, potentially involving prominent political figures in the region. The investigation is ongoing, and officials have not yet released further details about the identities of those involved or the specific nature of their alleged connection to the scheme.
The arrest of Acuña Vega and the discovery of the cash and campaign materials have cast a shadow over the final days of campaigning in La Guajira. The Fiscalía and Procuraduría are expected to release further updates as the investigation progresses. The next step in the legal process will be the formal indictment of Acuña Vega and the questioning of other individuals potentially involved in the alleged vote-buying scheme.
This is a developing story. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. If you have information related to this case, please contact us.
