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Controversial former Agriculture Minister Andres Felipe Arias turned down the Colombian government’s offer to replace ambassador to Italy Sabas Pretelt de la Vega, who is facing bribery charges.
According to Arias, who himself is under investigation for alleged corruption, he prefers to stay in Colombia “for the unity of political projects” and to “show transparency of my public and private acts,” newspaper El Espectador reported Friday.
The Prosecutor General’s Office is currently investigating Arias over the allegedly fraudulent granting of agriculture subsidies — meant to stimulate poor farmers — to political allies of the Uribe government.
