Verónica Alcocer, the former first lady of Colombia and ex-partner of Gustavo Petro, faces accusations by Eva Ferrer, a former presidential advisor, of transporting drugs to Venezuela on an official government plane and returning with $2.5 million in cash.
The explosive claims, revealed in an interview with Ferrer published by Semana, have sparked calls for a thorough investigation into the alleged misuse of state aircraft.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has initiated a probe within the Colombian Air Force to examine the flights and any potential involvement of military personnel, as reported by the magazine.
Allegations and Key Figures
Ferrer, who was part of Petro's 2022 presidential campaign and had close ties to Alcocer, alleged that the drug transport occurred during a flight on January 31, 2023, aboard the Legacy FAC 1218.
In her account to Semana, Ferrer claimed that Catalan businessman Manel Grau informed her about the cash from Venezuela and the drug transport. Her accusations are based on information from third parties rather than direct observation.
Petro's Cultural Visit Explanation
In a subsequent publication, Semana highlighted a message from Petro detailing the purpose of the visit, posted on February 1, 2023, the day following the flight in question.
Petro had described the trip as a cultural exchange, with Alcocer traveling alongside Jorge Ignacio Zorro from the Ministry of Culture to explore Venezuela's orchestral system. Petro announced plans for Colombia to develop a similar program integrated with the educational sector.
During the visit, Alcocer met with Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, as evidenced by photos released at the time and republished by Semana. The public explanation of the trip starkly contrasts with Ferrer’s illicit claims, though there is no proof that Petro had knowledge of or involvement in the alleged illegal activities.
Scrutiny of Official Flights and Alcocer's Circle
In further investigation, Semana reported 149 flight records linked to Alcocer between August 2022 and July 2026, with 137 using state aircraft. The report also mentioned passengers like Grau and Mario Fernández Alcocer, Alcocer's cousin.
The magazine provided details of the flight to Venezuela, documenting the journey but not substantiating claims about the luggage contents.
Ferrer alleged that part of the money funded Mario Fernández Alcocer's gubernatorial campaign in Sucre. She also accused Senator Agmeth Escaf of diverting a portion of the funds and described Alcocer as the mastermind behind a network of illicit business activities.
Wider Context and U.S. Sanctions
These accusations emerge nearly a year after the United States sanctioned Petro and his associates, including Alcocer. The Treasury Department announced the sanctions on October 24, 2025, accusing Petro of supporting international drug trafficking and aligning with Maduro.
This context includes U.S. allegations against the Cartel of the Suns, with the Justice Department accusing senior Venezuelan officials of drug trafficking and collaborating with FARC to smuggle cocaine into the United States.
Petro publicly denied the existence of the Cartel of the Suns in August 2025, arguing the term was used to justify actions against non-compliant governments. However, these historical points do not directly link the network to Ferrer’s allegations.
Denials and Calls for Investigation
Senator Escaf has rejected Ferrer's accusations, denying any connections to drug or arms traffickers and asserting he did not misappropriate the funds. He also indicated plans for legal action.
Simón Molina, Vice President of the House of Representatives, has called for investigations in both Colombia and the United States. Other leaders have demanded clarity on the origins and destinations of the funds and the potential use of public resources for illegal activities.
While the allegations of drugs, money, and arms remain unproven in court, the announced investigation aims to ascertain what transpired on the flights, identify participants, and determine whether evidence supports Ferrer's narrative as reported by Semana.
Key Questions About the Allegations Against Verónica Alcocer
What are the allegations against Verónica Alcocer?
Verónica Alcocer has been accused of transporting drugs to Venezuela on an official plane and returning with $2.5 million in cash.
Who made the accusations against Alcocer?
The accusations were made by Eva Ferrer, a former presidential advisor, in an interview with Semana magazine.
What is the Colombian government's response to these allegations?
President Abelardo de la Espriella has launched an investigation into the Colombian Air Force to examine the flights and any military involvement.
Has there been any evidence to support Ferrer's claims?
As of now, the allegations remain unproven in court, and the investigation seeks to determine the validity of Ferrer's claims.