Senate delays Erico Galeano’s expulsion until Tuesday, while Kattya González was removed within 24 hours

The Senate will not decide Erico Galeano’s fate until Tuesday, even though his convictions for money laundering and criminal association have already been upheld on appeal. Unless he resigns first, the senator’s expulsion will be considered at an extraordinary session.

The delay stands in sharp contrast to the treatment of former senator Kattya González. Her loss of office was pushed through and resolved in less than 24 hours, including during a parliamentary recess on February 14, 2024. Galeano’s continued presence in the chamber has brought renewed political pressure on Honor Colorado and intensified an institutional crisis in the Senate.

Legislative sources say the failure to secure Galeano’s immediate resignation damages the Senate’s image. They argue that it leaves citizens with the impression that the chamber protects leaders linked to serious crimes, including drug trafficking. The delay, the article says, turns the Senate into a symbol of impunity and weakens the government’s claims that it is fighting organized crime.

Dissident Colorado lawmakers and opposition legislators formally submitted an accusation seeking Galeano’s removal. The request, registered on Thursday, invokes Article 201 of the Constitution, which allows dismissal for proven misuse of influence. The filing says two final second-instance judgments show that Galeano used his public position and parliamentary status to benefit a criminal organization. It also cites constitutional provisions on incompatibilities and disqualifications.

Legislative sources further allege that Galeano’s lawyer, Ricardo Estigarribia, advised him not to resign in order to preserve his parliamentary status and pursue possible procedural benefits, such as house arrest or avoiding pretrial detention. The article presents the contrast with González’s swift expulsion as evidence of a different standard for political allies and opponents.

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The two final second-instance court judgments constitute full proof that the senator used his office and public position to favor and benefit a criminal organization.