Así fue como el zar del contrabando Diego Marín, alias ¨Papá Pitufo”, infiltró la campaña de Petro
Feb 11, 2025
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This investigation uncovers the shocking infiltration of a political campaign by Diego Marín, known as 'Papá Pitufo,' a notorious contraband kingpin. Initial financial backing of 3 billion pesos was tied directly to the campaign. A substantial portion was handed over to a prominent Spanish advisor. Although the president ordered a return of the funds, whispers suggest this might not be the full story. As layers peel away, the implications for Colombia's political landscape are both intricate and explosive.
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Quick takeaways
Diego Marín, alias 'Papá Pitufo,' infiltrated Gustavo Petro's campaign with substantial illicit funding, sparking concerns over political corruption.
Despite President Petro's claims of returning funds, ongoing investigations reveal deep-rooted connections between Marín's organization and state institutions.
Deep dives
Infiltration Attempts by Diego Marín
Diego Marín, also known as Papa Pitufo, is a notable figure involved in contraband in Colombia, with alleged connections to politics and law enforcement. President Gustavo Petro has pointed out that Marín attempted to infiltrate his political campaign, stating that he had successfully thwarted these efforts. This infiltration is reportedly associated with significant criminal activity, including the control of illegal trade routes. The implications of Marín's involvement suggest deep-rooted corruption within key state institutions that support his operations.
Funding Allegations in Petro's Campaign
Petro's campaign has faced serious allegations regarding the acceptance of funds from Marín's criminal organization, particularly an incident involving a substantial cash donation for his presidential bid. An informant revealed that 500 million pesos in cash was delivered to a campaign associate, raising concerns about the legitimacy of political funding. Following this revelation, Petro ordered a return of the funds in hopes of maintaining the integrity of his campaign. These financial dealings have sparked investigations and have the potential to jeopardize the credibility of Petro’s administration.
Continued Influence of Marín's Organization
Despite Petro’s claims of wanting transparency, the ongoing influence of Diego Marín's criminal organization remains prevalent in Colombian politics. Reports indicate that Marín has continued to maintain connections within the state, having survived through various administrations over the past 40 years. His alleged involvement extends to influence over key personnel within customs and police agencies, undermining governmental authority. As investigations move forward, Marín’s potential extradition could expose further dimensions of corruption linked to Petro's campaign financing.
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Intrigue and Infiltration: The Shadow of Contrabando in Colombian Politics
En esta investigación periodística de María Jimena Duzán, directora de A Fondo y Federico Gómez Lara, director de Cambio, revelan la historia de cómo fue que la organización criminal que lidera el zar del contrabando Diego Marin infiltró la campaña de Gustavo Petro. La plata pactada inicialmente era de 3 mil millones de pesos y la primera cuota que se entregó fue de 500 millones de pesos. Esa plata, Pitufo se la entregó a Xavi Vendrell, un famoso español que trabaja en palacio como asesor político y quien, en compañía de Manel Grau ha sacado provecho de su cercanía con Gustavo Petro. El hoy Presidente al saber que esa plata había entrado a su campaña ordenó devolverla y grabar un video que sirviera de prueba de que el dinero había sido devuelto. El presidente nos afirmó que ese dinero se devolvió en su totalidad. Sin embargo, varias fuentes que pidieron confidencialidad nos aseguraron que ese no fue el único dinero que Pitufo logró entregar a la campaña. Lo revelado en esta investigación es apenas el comienzo.