**Colombian Ex-Foreign Minister Charged Over Nanny's Lie Detector Test**
Prosecutors in Colombia have formally charged former foreign minister Laura Sarabia with abuse of power, stemming from a controversial incident involving a lie detector test administered to her nanny. The charges follow a scandal that first emerged in 2023 when Colombian news outlet Semana reported on the circumstances surrounding the case.
Laura Sarabia, who served as foreign minister from January to July 2025 and was previously the chief of staff for President Gustavo Petro, is accused of misusing her official position. The allegations arose after she allegedly ordered police to interrogate her nanny, Marelbys Meza, regarding the disappearance of a substantial amount of cash from her residence. Reports suggest that the missing amount could be several thousand dollars.
According to Meza, she was taken to an official government building opposite the presidential palace by Sarabia's driver, an experience she described as feeling akin to "a kidnapping." Once there, police officers reportedly connected her to a polygraph machine and questioned her about the alleged theft. Throughout the ordeal, Meza has maintained her innocence, consistently denying any involvement in the disappearance of the money.
Prosecutors assert that Sarabia's actions constituted an abuse of power, as she improperly utilized state resources to investigate a personal matter that was unrelated to her duties as chief of staff. During a recent hearing, Sarabia rejected the allegations but did not provide further details regarding her defense.
The scandal has drawn significant media attention, particularly given Sarabia's close ties to President Gustavo Petro, who is noted for being Colombia's first left-wing president. Sarabia was considered one of Petro's key advisers during his administration, which lasted from 2022 until August 2023.
In the wake of the allegations, Sarabia resigned from her position as chief of staff in June 2023. However, she was later appointed as Colombia's foreign minister and subsequently served as the country's ambassador to the United Kingdom after stepping down from her ministerial role.
Sarabia has publicly stated that she respects the judicial process and trusts the decisions of the authorities. Through social media, she has indicated that her legal team is actively addressing the situation.
As the case unfolds, it raises broader questions about the ethical use of power within government ranks and the implications of personal disputes involving public officials. The outcome of this legal challenge remains to be seen, as Sarabia prepares to defend herself against the charges brought by prosecutors.