Colombian officials address legal challenges involving Sandra Ortiz and Gustavo Petro

In Bogotá, former presidential counselor and senator Sandra Liliana Ortiz Nova has formally requested that the eighth specialized judge recuse herself from the ‘Tolditos 7 Días’ corruption case. Ortiz’s defense, led by Mauricio Camacho Fernández, argues that the judge lacks impartiality due to her previous role as a guarantee judge in the Olmedo López case, which is linked to the same scandal. The defense also noted that the judge had previously denied Ortiz’s request for liberty. A superior judge will now resolve the recusal request.

Separately, Colombia’s Ombudsman, Iris Marín Ortiz, has called for an urgent prioritization of investigations into allegations made by Deicy Jiménez against former President Gustavo Petro. Jiménez has accused the former leader of requesting intimate encounters in exchange for state contracts, providing chat logs and contractual documents as evidence.

The Ombudsman urged the Supreme Court of Justice, the House Accusations Commission, and the Attorney General’s Office to act with autonomy and independence. These calls follow statements from Dapre director Carlos Ríos regarding a potential network of women linked through service contracts. The government has activated a protection route for the complainant.