Former Medellin mayoral candidate Luis Perez Gutierrez said he was robbed of the 2011 election and will pursue legal action to obtain the post, newspaper El Colombiano reported Wednesday.
After six months of silence, Perez publicly accused the former mayor Alonso Salazar Jaramillo of illegally supporting his successor, current Mayor Anibal Gaviria.
“Alonso Salazar illegally supported Anibal Gaviria, who willingly received and accepted the support,” said Perez in a public statement.
Gutierrez also accused the Inspector General’s Office of failing to investigate Salazar, which he claimed showed evidence of criminal negligence.
“The Inspector has said that Salazar broke the law, he acted illegally by improperly intervening in the elections and he used public funds illegally. That’s not a rumor it is a fact beyond dispute,” Perez added.
Perez claimed the Inspector General’s Office is in possession of photographic, auditory and video evidence which has not been properly utilized to mount a case against the former mayor.
Perez spoke of an audio sample from October 2011 in which Salazar and his Secretary of Government, Juan Felipe Palau, allegedly gave “illegal instructions and orders to intervene and monitor Luis Perez, neighborhood opposition councils and their leaders.”
The sample reportedly ended with the phrase “Luis Perez must be buried,” which Perez interpretted as a death threat.
Earlier this month, the Inspector General’s Office disqualified Salazar from pursuing public office for a period of twelve years for tampering in the elections, but for Perez the ruling was unsatisfactory.
“The Colombian justice system is a crime, not only does it constrain the citizen, but it also voluntarily allows the receipt illegal support in elections,” said Perez.