Colombia’s leftwing president rocked by spiralling narco cash allegations

Gustavo Petro has tried to distance himself from the scandal, telling local media that he did not raise his eldest son. Photograph: Vannessa Jimenez/Reuters

The lawyer representing a businessman accused of financing killings by paramilitary death squads has admitted that his client donated money to the campaign of Colombia’s first ever leftwing president, Gustavo Petro.

Alfonso Hilsaca knowingly gave 400m pesos ($95,000) to Gustavo Petro’s eldest son as a donation to his father’s electoral campaign, his lawyer said this week – though he said Hilsaca had not expected Nicolás Petro to steal the money for himself.