Governor of Magdalena responds to the accusations of Luis Carlos Vélez

The governor of Magdalena, Carlos Caicedo, issued a statement responding to recent statements by journalist Luis Carlos Vélez, who assured, on his radio program on La FM, that the local president was being investigated for alleged cases of corruption.

The governor accused Vélez of doing abusive use of your role as a journalist to attack your ethical, moral and political integrity. He assured that behind his accusations are “good dividends from his employers” and the Char family. Caicedo. In his statement, the governor affirmed that the attacks against him benefit the ‘Cotes clan’, who, according to Caicedo, “have looted and corrupted institutions for decades”. The Clan, according to the governor, would have close relations with the journalist’s family.

Rosa Cotes and Luis Miguel Cotes, former governors of Magdalena, were linked by alleged irregularities in the signing of contracts between 2012 and 2019. The investigation also links Álvaro Cotes, Luis Miguel’s brother, and some contractors, who, allegedly, were part of a corruption poster that would be getting rich off the treasury. Those named would have bought luxurious apartments, vehicles, farms and yachts that would be in the name of front men.

Governor Caicedo accused Vélez of keeping silent in the face of corruption cases in the Caribbean region, such as the ‘Ñeñepolítica’, the alleged purchase of votes by the Char clan and the accusations, made by María Jimena Duzán, for alleged bribes. It also points out not comply with the actions of a good journalist, since his “self-humiliation” and “genuflection” have exposed him as reverent of such families.

“His indelible stamp of servility”, Continues the governor, he has done nothing but compromise his credibility as a journalist, since he has committed himself to the one he points out, it is a government ruling party.

Caicedo mentions his humble origins and the fight he has waged in the region against local mafias to “put institutions at the service of our people.” He also reiterates that, against all odds, he won the elections with fair votes, contrary to the Cotes and the Char. He ranks his government among one of the best in the country in terms of performance according to survey results.

The governor even assures that his ideals they have targeted Álvaro Uribe Vélez, the prosecutors, the current government of President Iván Duque and the local narco-paramilitary clans “who here present themselves as prestigious businessmen.” Therefore, he questions that Luis Carlos Vélez has not made any pronouncement on the situation of corruption that the region has experienced in recent years.

In addition, Caicedo requests that the journalist rectify his comments and accusations not to proceed with criminal actions. He also indicates that he is ready to collaborate with his journalistic work, while he performs his duties as a public servant and continues to work for the transformation of the country.

For his part, Luis Carlos Vélez confirmed on his Twitter account that the governor of Magdalena is linked to nine fiscal responsibility processes. Vélez pointed out that the Comptroller’s Office is conducting investigations for alleged cost overruns, irregularities and breach of contracts. “His insults and accusations do not intimidate us. We will continue investigating ”, confirmed the communicator.

The governor assured that he trusts justice, “although his father-in-law Char works in the Comptroller’s Office.”