Colombia's President Petro accuses Char family of parallel bank and vote‑buying

President Gustavo Petro used his X account to allege that the Char family of Barranquilla operates a “parallel bank” that launders money and finances armed groups that enforce debt repayment, linking the operation to the city’s insecurity. He claimed the same structures bought votes that helped Abelardo De La Espriella become president‑elect and described the newcomer as a “defender and partner of drug traffickers.” Petro publicly asked mayor Alejandro Char to liquidate the alleged bank.

Mayor Alejandro Char responded on X, blaming the national government for rising crime and criticizing the “Paz Total” policy, intensifying a public dispute between the president and the mayor over security and alleged corruption.