Colombia’s Supreme Court has ordered the arrest of Senator Martha Peralta as part of an ongoing investigation into the corruption scandal surrounding the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), one of the country’s most significant public corruption cases in recent years. The decision was issued to ensure the lawmaker’s appearance before the court during judicial proceedings related to the investigation.
According to the investigation, Peralta is being examined for her alleged involvement in the irregular awarding of public contracts linked to disaster risk management projects. Prosecutors and the court are reviewing evidence that includes witness testimony and documentation connected to the alleged direction of contracts in the department of La Guajira. The senator has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintains that the accusations against her are unfounded.
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 + 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
