Colombia’s Supreme Court has authorized the arrest of Senator Martha Peralta as part of its ongoing probe into the corruption scandal linked to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), considered one of the country’s most prominent public corruption cases in recent years. The ruling was issued to guarantee the senator’s presence before the court during the judicial proceedings connected to the investigation.
According to the investigation, Peralta is under scrutiny for her purported role in the questionable allocation of public contracts tied to disaster risk management initiatives, with prosecutors and the court assessing evidence that ranges from witness statements to documents related to the supposed steering of contracts in the department of La Guajira, while the senator has repeatedly rejected any misconduct and insists the accusations against her lack merit.
The arrest order comes amid a broader judicial effort to clarify the responsibilities of public officials and lawmakers allegedly involved in the UNGRD case. The scandal, which first emerged over irregular contracts and the management of emergency resources, has expanded to include several current and former officials, making it one of the largest corruption investigations in Colombia in recent years.
Following the court’s decision, Peralta was taken into custody while the legal proceedings continue. Her defense sought to challenge the detention through legal remedies, arguing that the measure was unnecessary, but the judicial process remains underway as the Supreme Court advances its inquiry.
The case continues to draw significant political attention, as investigators seek to determine the extent of the alleged corruption network and the role of each individual under investigation. Authorities have stressed that the judicial process will proceed in accordance with Colombian law while preserving the rights of all parties involved.
Source: EL PAÍS and https://elpais.com/america-colombia/2026-06-19/la-corte-suprema-ordena-la-captura-de-la-congresista-martha-peralta-por-el-escandalo-de-corrupcion-de-la-ungrd.html
