Colombia's government critics victim of 'illegal smear campaign'
by Adriaan Alsema September 6, 2021
Leading opposition politicians claim Colombias authoritarian government is involved in a smear campaign to influence next years elections elections.
Senator Roy Barreras announced criminal charges against guards of President Ivan Duque and members of the ruling Democratic Center party for their alleged participation in the plot.
Senator Ivan Cepeda additionally claimed that intelligence agents were conspiring with members of Duques far-right party to discredit opposition candidates.
The accusations followed a publication of a video by government-loyal weekly Semana that showed Barreras picking up a rucksack containing a relatively small amount of cash.
Semana implied that the money was suspicious despite the fact the money didnt seem to exceed the maximum amount of a single ATM withdrawal.
In a press conference, Barreras reiterated last week that the the Roy Video scandal fabricated by Semana was the latest example of media loyal to the regime publishing illegally obtained information to smear government critics.
Semana has published multiple false and questionable claims that favor the government, according to fact checking website Colombiacheck.
More:
https://colombiareports.com/colombias-government-critics-victim-of-illegal-smear-campaign/