Colombian Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla has stepped down at the request of President Gustavo Petro following allegations of bribery involving parliamentarians. Bonilla, accused of ignoring payments to lawmakers in exchange for supporting key reforms, denies any wrongdoing.

The attorney general’s office claims $200,000 from public funds was used for the alleged bribes. President Petro announced at a press conference that Bonilla would be replaced by his deputy, Diego Guevara, emphasizing that the decision was made to protect Bonilla from political attacks due to his loyalty to the administration.

This resignation comes as a sweeping corruption scandal implicates numerous government officials and MPs from both ruling and opposition parties. In July, the intelligence chief, a close ally of Petro, also resigned after accusations of orchestrating parliamentary bribes to fast-track legislation.

President Petro, who assumed office in 2022, faces growing challenges as he pushes forward with his ambitious social reform agenda amid the escalating scandal.