Colombian military members charged in 100 million peso food fund embezzlement

Nine members of the Colombian National Army have been charged with embezzlement and ideological falsehood following an investigation into the diversion of over 100 million pesos intended for soldier rations. The alleged scheme took place between April and October 2024 at the Special Energy and Road Battalion No. 10 in Ocaña, Norte de Santander.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, the accused used their positions to misappropriate funds and falsify documents to certify the delivery of food supplies. Investigators found that the records did not match the unit's actual needs; some documents claimed food was delivered to squads not operationally assigned to the battalion, while other rations were reportedly given to personnel who were actually in Aguachica, Cesar, for administrative duties or training.

The individuals facing charges include Majors Juan Camilo Lasso Leyton, David Leandro Hernández Ramírez, and Daniel Camilo Rodríguez Guerrero; Sergeants Gilberto Valencia Vargas, Jair Alberto Polo Pedraza, Richard Josué Rodríguez Pontón, Luis Carlos Tafur Tafur, and Carlos Arturo Hurtado Ayala; and retired non-commissioned officer Jorge Armando Mejía Quevedo. All nine suspects have denied the charges following their arrests in various locations, including San Vicente de Chucurí and Barrancabermeja.