Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that Finance Vice Minister Diego Guevara will replace Ricardo Bonilla as finance minister after Bonilla resigned amid a corruption investigation. Bonilla, who maintains his innocence, stated that his resignation allows him to focus on his legal defense and avoid disrupting the government’s agenda.

The scandal involves alleged misuse of $10.5 million by the national disaster management agency (UNGRD) for water tankers intended for La Guajira province. It has implicated former officials, including a former interior minister, and raised allegations of bribery and illicit enrichment. Former UNGRD deputy director Sneyder Pinilla also accused congressional leaders of receiving bribes to advance Petro’s reforms, claims the leaders deny.

Petro defended Bonilla, attributing the controversy to political efforts to undermine his administration, which began in August 2022. Bonilla is the second finance minister to step down during Petro’s tenure.