Former President Alan Garcia had sent a previous request for political asylum to the Colombian Government, before having
, Colombian journalist Luis Carlos Velez informed Tuesday.
According to him, Colombia's administration communicated to Garcia —through unofficial diplomatic channels— that there was no availability to carry out that process since the petition had been filed within the framework of the
Odebrecht investigation. The said probe involves Garcia.
"This is the information we have gathered from high-ranking Peruvian Government sources in the last few hours in Colombia," the journalist said.
Likewise, Velez pointed out the close relationship between Garcia and Colombian President Ivan Duque's father had facilitated the arrival of this request at Casa de Nariño in Bogota.
Case
As is known, Brazilian construction giant and corruption-tainted Odebrecht allegedly paid bribes to secure the Lima Metro Line 1 contract during Garcia's presidency (2006-2011).
Alan Garcia served as President of Peru between 1985-1990 and 2006-2011. In 1992, he requested asylum to the Colombian Government, which accepted the petition back then.