Colombian prosecutors have charged former foreign minister Laura Sarabia with abusing public office after she allegedly ordered police to give her nanny a polygraph during an inquiry into missing cash. The incident, first reported by Semana in 2023, involved the nanny being taken to an official building and questioned about several thousand dollars. Sarabia, a former chief of staff to President Gustavo Petro who later served as foreign minister and ambassador to the UK, denies wrongdoing and says her lawyers are handling the matter.
Former Colombian Foreign Minister Charged Over Nanny's Polygraph in Missing Cash Probe
Laura Sarabia was Colombia's foreign minister from January to July 2025 [FLORENCE LO / POOL / AFP]
Colombian prosecutors have charged former foreign minister Laura Sarabia with abusing public office after she allegedly ordered police to subject her nanny to a polygraph test during an inquiry into missing cash.
The episode first came to light in 2023 when weekly magazine Semana reported that a woman employed to care for Sarabia's son was taken to an official building opposite the presidential palace and hooked up to a lie-detector during questions about a missing case of cash.
Prosecutors say Sarabia, who was chief of staff to President Gustavo Petro at the time, improperly used state resources by directing police to investigate what they contend was a private matter. The missing money has been described in reports as amounting to several thousand dollars.
The nanny, identified as Marelbys Meza, told Semana the episode felt like 'a kidnapping' after Sarabia's driver took her to the official building. Police officers reportedly attached her to a polygraph machine and questioned her; Meza has consistently denied stealing any money.
Sarabia resigned as chief of staff in June 2023 and later served as foreign minister before being named Colombia's ambassador to the United Kingdom. She has denied any wrongdoing, rejected the prosecutors' accusations at a recent hearing, and said on social media that her lawyers are handling the case and that she respects the judicial process.
The case remains under investigation, and prosecutors allege the central issue is the misuse of official authority and resources to pursue a personal dispute. No final determination has been made in court.
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