Prosecutors in Colombia have accused former foreign minister Laura Sarabia of abusing her power after she arranged for her former nanny to take a lie detector test. The accusations stem from events in 2023 when Sarabia, then chief of staff to President Gustavo Petro, allegedly ordered police to interrogate her nanny, Marelbys Meza, over the disappearance of cash from Sarabia's apartment.
Meza reported that she was taken by Sarabia's driver to an official building opposite the presidential palace and felt the experience was akin to a "kidnapping." There, police officers subjected her to a polygraph examination and questioned her about the alleged theft of several thousand dollars. Meza has consistently denied any wrongdoing and stated she did not steal the money.
Prosecutors contend that Sarabia improperly utilized state resources and her official position to investigate a personal matter. Sarabia, who has denied any wrongdoing, has stated that her legal team is handling the issue and that she respects the judicial authorities.
Sarabia, a close advisor to Colombia's first left-wing president, served as chief of staff from 2022 until June 2023, when she resigned amid the unfolding scandal. She was subsequently appointed foreign minister and later became Colombia's ambassador to the United Kingdom. President Petro's term concluded in August of this year.