Carlos Caicedo sentenced to nine years in prison for corruption

Carlos Caicedo, the former governor of Magdalena and former mayor of Santa Marta, left Colombia for Madrid on July 17, twelve days before receiving a first-instance prison sentence. A Bogotá court sentenced Caicedo to nine years and nine months in prison for crimes including embezzlement and contracting without meeting legal requirements. These charges stem from a failed 2014 project to modernize the public health network in Santa Marta.

While reports indicate Caicedo has not returned to the country as of late August, his legal defense has denied allegations of fleeing. Attorney Diana Muñoz stated that Caicedo is not a fugitive because there is currently no restrictive measure on his liberty, as the sentence has not yet become final. The defense intends to appeal the decision. In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a fine exceeding 4.453 billion pesos and a disqualification from holding public office for the same duration.