Colombian President Calls for Probe into $11M Pegasus Spyware Purchase

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has called on the attorney general's office to investigate the prior administration's $11 million purchase of Pegasus spyware. This software may have been used to spy on opposition politicians and various individuals. He emphasized the need to uphold citizens' rights and ensure transparency.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro requested on Wednesday that the attorney general's office investigate the previous administration's $11 million purchase of Pegasus spyware. He highlighted concerns that the software could have been employed to surveil opposition politicians.

Spyware technology, particularly Pegasus built by Israeli firm NSO, has notoriously been used to hack phones of civil society members, political opposition, and journalists globally over the past decade.

During a televised address, Petro questioned the legality and justification behind the cash transaction from state offices to buy the spyware. He called for the director of the UIAF and the police head to provide relevant documentation to ensure citizens' rights are respected. "We have to get to the bottom of the matter," Petro declared.

(With inputs from agencies.)