Colombia president's allies exit over nanny wiretap scandal

Colombian President Gustavo Petro vowed his government respected human rights as allies were hit by a scandal over alleged wiretapping of a former employee. (Photo: AFP)

BOGOTá - Two close allies of Colombian President Gustavo Petro stepped down Friday after prosecutors announced the pair would be called to testify in a probe into alleged illegal wiretapping of a nanny.

Petro's chief of staff Laura Sarabia and ambassador to Venezuela Armando Benedetti are under scrutiny after Sarabia's nanny allegedly fell victim to illegal phone tapping following the disappearance of a briefcase containing thousands of dollars at her employer's house.