Colombian Yidisgate continues to shake Uribe government (updated)

Updates: Tonight, Constitutional Court of the Colombian Supreme Court was asked  to revise the decision that allowed the re election of President Alvaro Uribe. This is the lastes turn of the Yidisgate saga.  

Caracas, 25 June 2008. Today, Colombian Supreme Court decided to allow Ex MP Yidis Medina serve three year and a half term in her house instead of a Bogota jail. This improvement in her custody was due to the collaboration rendered to the judicial system. This case has been nicknamed as Yidisgate.

Subject ot bribery Ex MP Medina casted  her vote in 2004 to allow a controversial Constitutional reform pass through. Thanks to her vote and another one, President Uribe was able to run for another term in office from 2006. Ex MP Medina agreed to vote for Uribe in exchange of contracts with oil companies and other governmental favours. Colombian Supreme Court has yet to decide on a final veredit on her case and its political implications. Colombian justice has only agreed to punish her for selling a parliament vote. But it also intends to initiate actions against those who lure her into such criminal action. It is here that the political crisis spreads to the current administration of President Uribe. Opposition is looking for a proper and balanced punishment on Uribe too. This could promtp earlier presidential elections.  Among people accused by Medina are current Colombian Ambassador to Italy  Sabas Pretelt, Social Protection Minister Diego Palacios, ex Home Office Vice Minister, Hernando Angarita and MP Armando Benedetti. 
 

Sources: VTV, BBC Mundo, Caracol, El Colombiano, Telesur,

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