Colombia charges former foreign minister Laura Sarabia over nanny polygraph

Former minister faces abuse-of-power allegation

Colombian prosecutors have charged former foreign minister Laura Sarabia with abusing her authority by allegedly directing police resources toward a private dispute involving missing cash. The case concerns Marelbys Meza, a woman employed to care for Sarabia’s son, who was taken to an official building and subjected to a polygraph examination in 2023. Sarabia rejected the allegation during a hearing and has previously said she respects the judicial process. The charge begins a new legal stage rather than establishing guilt.

Prosecutors contend that Sarabia, then chief of staff to President Gustavo Petro, improperly used her senior position to have officers question Meza about money allegedly missing from Sarabia’s apartment. Meza denied taking the cash and has maintained that position in later interviews. The central legal issue is therefore not only how the questioning was conducted, but whether state personnel and facilities were mobilised for a matter unrelated to Sarabia’s official responsibilities.

A case with consequences beyond the original dispute

The scandal first became public in 2023 and led Sarabia to resign as Petro’s chief of staff. Her political career nevertheless continued: she later served as foreign minister and was subsequently appointed Colombia’s ambassador to the United Kingdom. That trajectory made her one of the most prominent figures associated with Petro’s administration. A prosecution over alleged misuse of police power consequently raises wider questions about internal controls around the presidency and accountability for politically connected officials.

The United Nations’ recent engagement with Colombia provides relevant institutional context without independently confirming the charge. In reporting to the Committee against Torture, Colombia described the roles of its judiciary, prosecutor’s office and other institutions in addressing state conduct and access to justice. UN mechanisms have continued to emphasise independent investigation and accountability in Colombia. Those principles make procedural fairness important for both sides: Meza’s allegations require effective examination, while Sarabia retains the presumption of innocence and the right to challenge the prosecution’s evidence.

Evidence and procedure now take priority

The next steps should clarify the exact offence alleged, the police chain of command behind the polygraph session and whether investigators can prove that Sarabia issued an improper instruction. Courts may also examine the conditions in which Meza was transported and questioned, along with records showing who authorised the use of official premises and personnel. The case will be watched for evidence of genuine institutional independence rather than political retaliation. Its broader significance lies in whether Colombia’s justice system can examine alleged executive-branch misuse of power through a transparent process that protects both the complainant and the accused.