Leaked audio recordings have revealed a series of clandestine meetings between high-ranking members of the Colombian government and the legal representation of Diego Marín, a man known as “Papá Pitufo” and identified as one of the country’s most prominent smugglers. The recordings suggest a troubling pattern of communication that bypassed official judicial channels, raising urgent questions about the integrity of national intelligence and the boundaries of executive power.
At the center of these reuniones secretas entre jefe de inteligencia de Petro y abogado de Papá Pitufo is Jorge Lemus, the former head of the National Intelligence Directorate (DNI). The recordings, which date back to early 2025, capture Lemus in discussions with Luis Felipe Ramírez, Marín’s attorney. The exchanges indicate that the government was not only in contact with the smuggler’s camp but may have offered improper judicial inducements to secure information or cooperation.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing allegations regarding the financing of President Gustavo Petro’s presidential campaign. Marín has been accused of providing 500 million pesos in cash to the campaign—a claim the President has categorically denied. While the administration maintains that no contraband money entered its coffers, the newly surfaced audios suggest a level of proximity between the administration’s inner circle and Marín that contradicts official narratives of distance.
The February Recordings and the Offer of Influence
One specific recording, dated February 26, 2025, highlights the delicate nature of the information held by Diego Marín. In the audio, Lemus is heard encouraging the smuggler to reach forward and speak freely, stating, “Que el hombre venga y hable, contra quien se le dé la puta gana y hasta donde quiera” (Let the man come and speak, against whoever he feels like and as far as he wants).
The conversation takes a more legally precarious turn when Lemus discusses the possibility of influencing the judicial process. Despite the fact that these meetings occurred before any formal communication with the Fiscalía General de la Nación (Attorney General’s Office), Lemus presumes a role as a mediator. He suggests that while the Fiscalía handles negotiations, the government could potentially “speak something inside the Fiscalía that favors him,” referring to Marín, who is currently located in Portugal.
Beyond mere legal influence, the recordings suggest that Lemus hinted at the possibility of incorporating Marín into the “Paz Total” (Total Peace) framework—a flagship government policy intended to negotiate the surrender of armed groups and criminals in exchange for legal benefits. For a high-ranking intelligence official to propose such a path outside of the established legal framework constitutes a significant departure from standard Colombian administrative protocol.
A Network of Government Emissaries
The recordings reveal that Lemus was not the only official acting as a conduit. According to Luis Felipe Ramírez, several “emissaries” approached Marín, some claiming to act on behalf of the President himself. These interactions have created a climate of deep mistrust for the defense, as the lawyer noted that it was often unclear who was actually authorized to speak for the presidency.
The individuals identified as having had direct or indirect communication with Marín include:
- Jorge Lemus: Former head of the DNI and recent appointee to the Financial Information and Analysis Unit (UIAF), from which he resigned this week.
- Isaac Beltrán: A former advisor to the UIAF who reportedly met with the smuggler in Spain in April 2024.
- Augusto Rodríguez: The director of the National Protection Unit (UNP), whose contact with Marín was allegedly facilitated by former prosecutor Gloria Arias.
- An unnamed advisor: A staff member working under Rodríguez.
The role of Ramón Devesa, a Catalan hacker, as well emerges in these discussions. Devesa is allegedly linked to a missing video that purportedly shows the return of the 500 million pesos originally intended for the Petro campaign. The recordings suggest that Devesa may have served as a bridge, providing the government with intelligence from the “underworld” regarding the President’s security.
Timeline of Key Figures and Alleged Roles
| Official/Entity | Alleged Role/Action | Context/Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jorge Lemus | Offered judicial influence | Meeting Feb 26, 2025 |
| Isaac Beltrán | Direct meeting with Marín | Spain, April 2024 |
| Augusto Rodríguez | Indirect contact via Gloria Arias | UNP Administration |
| Ramón Devesa | Intelligence conduit/Video holder | Spanish circle of Petro |
The Conflict Over Campaign Financing
The tension within the administration is palpable in the recordings. The conversations touch upon a Ministry Council meeting where Augusto Rodríguez claimed that the presidential campaign had been targeted for infiltration by Marín’s funds. Interestingly, Lemus is heard dismissing Rodríguez’s assertions, suggesting that the UNP director was “mal de la cabeza” (out of his mind) for making those declarations.
This internal friction underscores a broader mystery: the fate of the 500 million pesos. While the President denies the money ever reached the campaign, the leaked audios suggest a theory that members of the President’s Spanish circle may have intercepted and kept the funds. This remains an unverified claim, but it points to a chaotic intersection of international operatives and domestic political financing.
The implications of these meetings extend beyond political embarrassment. The act of a government official offering to intervene in a criminal process—especially for a figure as high-profile as Marín—could be interpreted as an abuse of power or an illegal interference in the independence of the judiciary.
Note: This report concerns ongoing legal investigations. Under Colombian law, all individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The next critical development will be the official response from the Presidencia de la República regarding the specific quotes attributed to Jorge Lemus and the verification of the “emissaries” mentioned by the defense. As judicial authorities review these recordings, the focus will likely shift to whether these meetings constitute a formal attempt at negotiation or an extralegal effort to silence a witness with sensitive information.
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