An international scandal hits Colombia after details about the acquisition of the “Pegasus” spyware were revealed during the government of former president Iván Duque. According to an investigation by Señal Investigativa, the purchase was made clandestinely, involving the transportation of large sums of cash and possible legal irregularities in both Colombia and Israel.
President Gustavo Petro revealed details about the transaction on September 4: The cash was airlifted from Bogotá, Colombia to Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 27, 2021. It was declared to the Israeli customs and deposited in the company’s account on 30 June 2021». He added that a second transfer of $5,500,000 was expected between September and October of the same year.
Jorge Lemus, director of the National Intelligence Directorate (DNI), confirmed: «The document obtained from the IMPA of the Unit for Information and Financial Analysis (UIAF) of Israel, there is absolutely clear that this money entered into Israel, entered into NSO Group and that there is clearly that it entered by the Colombian state which was the one who delivered it and made the transaction».
Lemus pointed out that the transaction could constitute a crime of money laundering: «We are certain in the investigation that we are doing that it is money laundering, given that we do not know where this money comes from». He added that while NSO Group appears to have been operating legally in Israel, the money was being moved illegally out of Colombia.
Presidente @petrogustavo: "¿Cómo salen del país 11 millones de dólares en efectivo, en un avión… o en dos… para comprar un software que espía celulares y comunicaciones privadas -políticas-, quizás durante meses, a los del principal partido de la oposición entonces?" pic.twitter.com/VvRqPb6BGy
— RTVC Noticias (@RTVCnoticias) September 5, 2024
The absence of records in the Electronic System for Public Procurement (SECOP) of Colombia and in the Directorate of National Taxes and Customs (DIAN) has intensified suspicions about the legality of the transaction, as Lemus points out.
In addition, the scandal is amplified once the spyware is said to be developing in Latin America, involving Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. Recent revelations put on the table the connections between the acquisition of this espionage program and significant political events in the region.
Senator Antonio Correa pointed out the timing of the purchase of software in Colombia and several critical events: «At the time when Pegasus is bought, which nobody knows where it is in Colombia today, coincides also with the attempts to overthrow the Venezuelan government, coincides also with national unemployment in Colombia».
The Path of Money
Journalist Gur Meggido, of the Israeli Haaretz newspaper, uncovered details of the controversial transaction between the Colombian government during the administration of Iván Duque and the Israeli company NSO Group, manufacturer of the Pegasus spyware.
Meggido revealed that his investigation initially focused on General Yair Kulas, Head of Exports at the Israeli Defense Ministry, known for his role in promoting sales of weapons and security software. «One of these stories had to do with this $13 million cash deal that arrived in a private plane to Tel Aviv», the journalist explained.
The most surprising aspect of the case is the form of payment: cash allegedly coming from a drug trafficking area seized by Colombian authorities. This unusual transaction triggered the alarms of Hapoalim Bank, Israel’s largest bank, where the money was deposited.
🚨🇨🇴 El periodista israelí Gur Meggido revela la trama secreta detrás de #Pegasus. ¿Qué papel juega Israel en todo esto?
Revive los momentos más importantes de nuestro capítulo, emitido el 28 de julio. pic.twitter.com/58WYuPCqV2
— RTVC Noticias (@RTVCnoticias) September 5, 2024
«The company (NSO Group) called Yair Kulas, in charge of exporting cybersecurity technology, to confirm that this money was legitimate and that it was not a transaction for money laundering», said Meggido. Kulas acted as guarantor, providing a letter that allowed the deposit without further investigation.
Surveillance software has jumped to the international stage, unveiling a spy network that stretches from the Middle East to Latin America and Europe. This program, developed by the Israeli company NSO Group, is a sophisticated spyware capable of infiltrating mobile devices and computers through a simple link. Once installed, it grants unlimited access to calls, emails, files and even allows you to remotely activate cameras and microphones.
