Camilo Romero faces investigation over alleged liquor contract deal

A judicial investigation is examining allegations of corruption involving former governor Camilo Romero regarding the commercialization of Nariño aguardiente in 2016. The case centers on whether a prior agreement existed between Romero’s political campaign and private businessmen to secure liquor distribution rights.

According to testimony from Andrés Felipe Arango, Romero’s cousin, businessmen Richard Portilla and Pedro Bastidas allegedly contributed 1.4 billion pesos to the 2015 campaign in exchange for the rights to sell the departmental spirit. During a June 10 hearing, Arango reportedly told Romero, “The agreement was made by you, Camilo.”

The investigation involves the sale of approximately 80,000 cases of aguardiente, a business valued at over 18 billion pesos. While three testimonies suggest Arango acted as a liaison for the deal, Romero’s defense maintains that the commercialization process followed all legal regulations in place at the time and denies any orders to favor specific individuals.