Fernando Botero Zea
Encyclopedia
Fernando Botero Zea is a Colombian politician who served in several public positions, including as Defense Minister under President Ernesto Samper
, for whom he was campaign manager in his presidential run. Botero was elected as a member of the Colombian Congress for the Liberal Party
. He is a son of the internationally recognized painter and sculptor Fernando Botero
. He was convicted of financial issues associated with the campaign's having accepted money from the Cali Cartel
, and served nearly three years in prison. Losing an appeal in 2007 on a second charge, Botero is staying in Mexico, where his citizenship prevents him from being extradited.
, Fernando Botero Zea is the first son of the renowned artist Fernando Botero
and Gloria Zea. He has a sister Lina and brother Juan Carlos. His mother served as Minister of Culture of Colombia. His parents divorced in 1960 and each remarried.
Botero graduated from the Universidad de Los Andes
with a degree in Political Science. In the 1980s, he attended Harvard University
's Business School and Kennedy School, where he obtained joint master's degrees in Business and Public Administration.
member of the Colombian Congress.
In 1993–1994, he worked for Ernesto Samper
as one of his campaign managers in his run for president. After Samper was elected, he appointed Botero as Minister of Defense. Botero was charged with financial improprieties due to poor handling of a contract to import a large shipment of assault rifles from Israel
.
, Samper's opponent and future successor, accused Samper of having received campaign donations from the Cali Cartel
, in the amount of $6 million US dollars. The Attorney General
, Alfonso Valdivieso Sarmiento
, personally led the investigation. Valdivieso is a cousin of the late Luis Carlos Galán, a charismatic presidential candidate assassinated in 1989 by the Medellín Cartel
for his political views. Galán favoured the extradition of drug dealers to the United States for prosecution.
Valdivieso's investigation revealed connections between the Cali drug cartel and top figures of Colombian society, including politicians, journalists, athletes, army and police officers, and artists, among others. As a result, numerous politicians and top members of the government were indicted. Botero was arrested in connection to the investigation and was charged with conspiracy to gain wealth illicitly. On Botero was convicted and sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in jail for illicit wealth gain in favour of third parties. He served 30 months and was released on .
In 2002, Botero was charged with the theft of more than 800 million pesos from Samper's presidential campaign. He invested the money in a farm property in Tabio, a town 20 km north of Bogotá. The national prosecutor sentenced him to 36 months in jail. Botero won an appeal before a Bogota judge.
In 2003 the High Tribunal of Bogotá confirmed the charges, and Botero appealed the decision. In January 2007 the Supreme Court of Justice confirmed the Tribunal verdict. Botero is currently living in Mexico. He is a Mexican citizen and the country does not extradite its nationals.
Ernesto Samper
Ernesto Samper Pizano is a Colombian politician. He served as the President of Colombia from August 7, 1994 to August 7, 1998, representing the Liberal Party. He was involved in the 8000 process scandal, which takes its name from the folio number assigned to it by the chief prosecutor's office...
, for whom he was campaign manager in his presidential run. Botero was elected as a member of the Colombian Congress for the Liberal Party
Liberal Party
Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
. He is a son of the internationally recognized painter and sculptor Fernando Botero
Fernando Botero
Fernando Botero Angulo is a Colombian figurative artist. His works feature a figurative style, called by some "Boterismo", which gives them an unmistakable identity...
. He was convicted of financial issues associated with the campaign's having accepted money from the Cali Cartel
Cali Cartel
The Cali Cartel was a drug cartel based in southern Colombia, around the city of Cali and the Valle del Cauca Department. The Cali Cartel was founded by the Rodríguez Orejuela brothers, Gilberto and Miguel, as well as associate José Santacruz Londoño...
, and served nearly three years in prison. Losing an appeal in 2007 on a second charge, Botero is staying in Mexico, where his citizenship prevents him from being extradited.
Early life and education
Born in Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, Fernando Botero Zea is the first son of the renowned artist Fernando Botero
Fernando Botero
Fernando Botero Angulo is a Colombian figurative artist. His works feature a figurative style, called by some "Boterismo", which gives them an unmistakable identity...
and Gloria Zea. He has a sister Lina and brother Juan Carlos. His mother served as Minister of Culture of Colombia. His parents divorced in 1960 and each remarried.
Botero graduated from the Universidad de Los Andes
University of the Andes, Colombia
The University of the Andes , is a coeducational, nonsectarian private university located in city centre Bogotá, Colombia. Founded in 1948, the University has 9 faculties: Administration, Architecture and Design, Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, Engineering and...
with a degree in Political Science. In the 1980s, he attended Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
's Business School and Kennedy School, where he obtained joint master's degrees in Business and Public Administration.
Career
Botero was elected to Bogota's City Council. Later he was elected as a Liberal PartyLiberal Party
Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
member of the Colombian Congress.
In 1993–1994, he worked for Ernesto Samper
Ernesto Samper
Ernesto Samper Pizano is a Colombian politician. He served as the President of Colombia from August 7, 1994 to August 7, 1998, representing the Liberal Party. He was involved in the 8000 process scandal, which takes its name from the folio number assigned to it by the chief prosecutor's office...
as one of his campaign managers in his run for president. After Samper was elected, he appointed Botero as Minister of Defense. Botero was charged with financial improprieties due to poor handling of a contract to import a large shipment of assault rifles from Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
Campaign scandal
Shortly after the presidential victory, Andrés PastranaAndrés Pastrana Arango
Andrés Pastrana Arango was the President of Colombia from 1998 to 2002, following in the footsteps of his father, Misael Pastrana, who was president from 1970 to 1974.-Early years:...
, Samper's opponent and future successor, accused Samper of having received campaign donations from the Cali Cartel
Cali Cartel
The Cali Cartel was a drug cartel based in southern Colombia, around the city of Cali and the Valle del Cauca Department. The Cali Cartel was founded by the Rodríguez Orejuela brothers, Gilberto and Miguel, as well as associate José Santacruz Londoño...
, in the amount of $6 million US dollars. The Attorney General
Attorney General of Colombia
The Office of the Attorney General of Colombia is the Colombian institution part of the Colombian judicial branch of Government with administrative autonomy designed to prosecute offenders, investigate crimes, review judicial processes and accuse penal law infractions against judges and courts of...
, Alfonso Valdivieso Sarmiento
Alfonso Valdivieso Sarmiento
Alfonso Valdivieso Sarmiento is a Colombian lawyer and politician who as the 2nd Attorney General of Colombia brought charges and stood against the administration of Ernesto Samper Pizano during the Proceso 8000. He also served as the 24th Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations...
, personally led the investigation. Valdivieso is a cousin of the late Luis Carlos Galán, a charismatic presidential candidate assassinated in 1989 by the Medellín Cartel
Medellín Cartel
The Medellín Cartel was an organized network of "drug suppliers and smugglers" originating in the city of Medellín, Colombia. The drug cartel operated in Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Central America, the United States, as well as Canada and Europe throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It was founded and...
for his political views. Galán favoured the extradition of drug dealers to the United States for prosecution.
Valdivieso's investigation revealed connections between the Cali drug cartel and top figures of Colombian society, including politicians, journalists, athletes, army and police officers, and artists, among others. As a result, numerous politicians and top members of the government were indicted. Botero was arrested in connection to the investigation and was charged with conspiracy to gain wealth illicitly. On Botero was convicted and sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in jail for illicit wealth gain in favour of third parties. He served 30 months and was released on .
In 2002, Botero was charged with the theft of more than 800 million pesos from Samper's presidential campaign. He invested the money in a farm property in Tabio, a town 20 km north of Bogotá. The national prosecutor sentenced him to 36 months in jail. Botero won an appeal before a Bogota judge.
In 2003 the High Tribunal of Bogotá confirmed the charges, and Botero appealed the decision. In January 2007 the Supreme Court of Justice confirmed the Tribunal verdict. Botero is currently living in Mexico. He is a Mexican citizen and the country does not extradite its nationals.
Further reading
- "Fernando Botero: Interview", El Tiempo, 2007 (Spanish)