BOGOTÁ.- The Colombian Foreign Ministry reported this Thursday that opened an investigation disciplinary to Consul of Colombia in Mexico, Andres Hernandezclose to the president Gustavo Petroembroiled in a scandal for alleged fraud, workplace harassment, negligence and misogyny.
In a statement it was explained that “it has required the official to give the corresponding explanations for the complaints and alleged misconduct that have been committed in the situations in which he has been involved and has been revealed by the media recently.”
They also asked the official “the reimbursement of resources intended for the hiring of a human rights specialist, because said hiring was carried out without the prior authorization of the entity.”
Hernández hired a professional without prior authorization in human rights, in the amount of 12,700 dollars, as reported in an investigation published by ‘The Country‘, a medium that uncovered the consul’s case.
The official was Gustavo Petro’s press chief for many years, part of his closest circle. It reinstated in August passed to that position despite the fact that the Council of State annulled his appointment because did not meet the requirements necessary to occupy it.
These are the controversies of Andrés Hernández
Hernandez was the communications director of Petro’s campaign in 2017-2018 and his press chief in the Senate until 2022. The Colombian president appointed him Colombian consul in Mexico in February 2023, despite the fact that he did not have any diplomatic experience.
The investigation revealed that Hernández has a debt with the Colombian Foreign Ministry for 12 thousand 700 dollars and a complaint in Mexico for an alleged scamfiled by a former consulate worker, who assures that The official owes him 19 thousand dollars.
According to The CountrySonia Cuesta, Hernández’s subordinate between February and August 2023, the 19 thousand dollars that the diplomat owes her correspond to the savings you made in Mexico throughout your working life and that he was going to use them when he retired from work. The affected person reported that when she finished her job in Mexico, in August 2023, she was going to close the savings account that she had in her name in that country.
To do so, he had to transfer the money to an account in Colombia. Since I didn’t have one, Hernández offered him his account in the country to do so, to which he ended up making two contributions for 15 thousand and 9 thousand 564 dollars, respectively.
When the woman returned to Colombia she asked the consul for her money, but Since then he has responded with pretexts and excuses and he has only returned 5 thousand dollars.
Consul responds to accusations
The media questioned the official, who He assured that it was a “loan from a friend.” and that I was going to finish paying him in November). He said that he had not been able to wire him the money because in Mexico “they don’t let you do such big transactions” because in that country “the issue of money laundering is very strong”.
Another woman, Maura Yuliana Ramírez, also accused Hernández of stealing money from her in 2016. “Andrés Hernández abused my trust, defrauded me and disappeared” and also blocked her from all networks.
“I’m no longer interested in getting my money back, but I’m reporting it so that no one else falls for their scams,” he said.
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T she had arranged with Hernández to ensure that she could access her retirement savings, but he did not return the funds as promised.
This situation has led to increased scrutiny of Hernández’s professional conduct and has raised questions about his qualifications for the consular role, especially given the previous annulment of his appointment by the Council of State due to failure to meet the necessary requirements for the position.
In addition to the allegations of financial misconduct, Hernández’s lack of diplomatic experience has been a point of contention, as many believe that such a position requires a certain level of expertise and familiarity with international relations.
The ongoing investigation and the fallout from these controversies may impact both his position and the Colombian government’s diplomatic relationships, particularly in Mexico. Hernandez’s situation illustrates the complexities and challenges faced by appointing individuals to high-profile roles without traditional qualifications and the potential consequences that can arise from such decisions.
