Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

Colombia rejects Guatemala's accusations against defense minister

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 Jan 2023 15:49
2 Min Read

Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez, a former UN anti-corruption investigator, oversaw Guatemala's UN-backed International Commission against impunity from 2013 to 2019.

  • x
  • Colombian President (REUTERS)
    Colombian President Gustavo Petro (Reuters)

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said, on Monday, that he would not accept any "arrest warrant" for his defense minister after a Guatemalan prosecutor accused him of criminal behavior.

Earlier on Monday, Rafael Curruchiche, the head of Guatemala's Special Prosecutor's Office Against Impunity, announced his office will launch "legal procedures" against Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez, a former UN anti-corruption investigator in Guatemala.

"As of today, #Colombia is changing."
Who is #GustavoPetro, Colombia's first leftist president? pic.twitter.com/3uEf78im2I

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 20, 2022

While Curruchiche announced arrest warrants for several people, including Guatemala's former Attorney General Thelma Aldana, he did not include Velasquez.

Instead, the prosecutor stated that Velasquez will be held accountable for "illegal, arbitrary, and abusive activities" in connection with an investigation into alleged bribery involving the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht.

Velasquez "showed how to fight against corruption and we won't permit corruption to come after him," Petro tweeted.

He further added that he had summoned Colombia's Ambassador to Guatemala to discuss the issue.

Velasquez published a statement on the "supposed probe" on Monday, stating that he had not been alerted of any requests from Guatemalan authorities regarding him.

In a statement, he said, "I have the peace of mind that the work carried out in the Central American country was done with total transparency and within the legal framework that supported CICIG's operations." 

Read next: Colombian President announces ceasefire with rebel groups

  • Colombia president
  • Guatemala
  • Corruption
  • Ivan Velasquez

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS