2024-03-26 06:38:29
The Financial Information and Analysis Unit (UIAF) issued a statement in response to recent statements by former President Iván Duque Márquez, in which he suggested the possible misuse of the intelligence apparatus to persecute political opponents.
In the statement, the UIAF reported on a reserved session of the Legal Commission for Monitoring Intelligence and Counterintelligence Activities, in which strict compliance with the law was highlighted with regard to guarantees for the political opposition. Article 4 of Law 1621 of 2013 was specifically cited, which prohibits the collection, processing or dissemination of intelligence information for political reasons.
In addition, the legal duty of the UIAF, and of all intelligence agencies, to protect the right to the good name of all Colombian citizens was emphasized.
The UIAF also mentioned a court ruling establishing that congressmen Gustavo Petro Urrego and Piedad Córdoba were the subject of state intelligence actions outside the legal canons, which serves as an ethical and historical reference on the improper use of intelligence. against the opposition.
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On March 23, 2024, in Semana Magazine, former president Iván Duque Márquez stated the following: “Although I am not aware of it, there are rumors of the use of the intelligence apparatus to carry out persecution, seek financial information from opponents, etc.”
In response to Iván Duque’s statements, the UIAF expressed its rejection and reaffirmed its commitment to respecting the guarantees that financial intelligence offers to the exercise of political opposition. Likewise, it reiterated its commitment to not repeating improper practices of the past.
This statement from the UIAF seeks to deny any suggestion of misuse of financial intelligence and reaffirm its commitment to transparency and respect for the rights of all Colombian citizens.
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