Colombia: Petro’s Ex-Campaign Manager Faces Charges Over Election Spending & Influence Peddling

Colombian prosecutors announced plans to charge Ricardo Roa, the president of state oil company Ecopetrol, with electoral overspending and influence peddling, according to statements made on February 9, 2026. The charges stem from Roa’s role as campaign manager for President Gustavo Petro’s successful 2022 presidential bid.

Prosecutor Raúl González Flechas stated that the allegations include exceeding legally mandated spending limits during the campaign. The prosecution alleges that the “Pacto Histórico” coalition, which carried Petro to victory, surpassed the permissible financial caps for electoral events.

The second charge centers on allegations of influence peddling related to Juan Guillermo Mancera, who prosecutors claim benefited from a contract awarded by Ecopetrol. Investigators allege Mancera had previously engaged in a business transaction with Roa involving the sale of a luxury apartment in Bogotá.

In November 2025, Colombia’s National Electoral Council (CNE) sanctioned Petro’s 2022 presidential campaign for violating campaign finance limits by more than 3.5 billion pesos (approximately 802,400 euros) and for receiving illegal contributions. The CNE imposed fines on Roa, as well as on the Colombia Humana and Unión Patriótica (UP) parties, both part of the Pacto Histórico coalition.

Ricardo Roa was appointed president of Ecopetrol in April 2023, bringing to the role a career spanning leadership positions in energy and gas companies across Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, Honduras, and Brazil. Prior to leading Ecopetrol, Roa served as president of Grupo Energía Bogotá and TGI, among other roles, according to his official Ecopetrol biography.

As of February 11, 2026, Ecopetrol has not issued a public statement regarding the charges against its president.