Nicolás Petro indictment hearing postponed to 2027

The indictment hearing for Nicolás Petro Burgos, son of former President Gustavo Petro, has been postponed to January 29, 2027. The decision was made by the 16th Criminal Circuit Court in Barranquilla following a request from the prosecutor, which was supported by the Attorney General's Office and the defense.

The postponement is intended to allow the recently appointed judge and the prosecutor to conduct a thorough review of the case files and the indictment. The investigation involves alleged irregularities regarding contracts between the Fundación Consciencia Social (Fucoso) and the Government of Atlántico.

Prosecutors have charged Petro with five offenses: undue interest in the celebration of contracts, falsification of public documents, embezzlement by appropriation, influence peddling, and falsification of private documents. The allegations suggest Petro used his political influence as a deputy to direct contracts worth approximately $400 million and $572 million toward Fucoso, allegedly resulting in the misappropriation of roughly $111 million.