The non-profit foundation that funded the referendum demanding the
possibility for President Álvaro Uribe’s to be re-elected has come
under fire because it has not been able to clarify where the money to
fund the popular vote came from.
The foundation, led by Partido de la U secretary Luis Guillermo Giraldo, was founded in May 2008 with a registered capital of 5 million pesos (US$2,500), but was able to pay 2 billion pesos (US$ 1 million) for the referendum, without being able to explain where the money came from, a source close to the Electoral Council told newspaper El Espectador.
Giraldo will have to open the books for the Electoral Council this Friday. If he isn’t able to explain the financing of the popular vote it may bring the legality of it in danger.
Opposition party Polo Democrático immediately denounced the financial mystery. According to Polo Representative Germán Navas Talero “there’s something here that smells ugly” refferring to Giraldo’s lack of response to clarity.
The sudden and unexplained wealth of the non-profit foundation could be reason for the Prosecution office to investigate the organization for illicit enrichment in favor of others.