Colombian journalist and activist Beto Coral has reiterated his innocence this Sunday through a statement sent to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. His statement comes after he was deported last Tuesday, a measure that, according to 'The New York Times', would have been ordered by Rubio himself following a complaint filed by Coral against far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who is close to the US administration.
"Today I share this statement because I believe the truth must be known and because no one should be persecuted for expressing their opinions. Speaking is not a crime. Ideas are not imprisoned," the reporter stated in a publication shared on his social media.
In the text, Coral defends his career as a journalist and activist, emphasizing that he has never "been involved in matters related to US internal politics or the Donald Trump administration" after the leak of the official document signed by Rubio and cited by 'The New York Times', which stated that his presence in US territory "undermined US foreign policy interests."
"In early June, I filed a criminal complaint in Florida against candidate Abelardo de la Espriella for illegal recording of a call (...) However, I was detained by the US government without being clearly explained the reasons for my detention," Coral's statement reads.
The decision attributed to the high-ranking US official has caused a strong political impact amid the second round of presidential elections this Sunday in Colombia, in which officialist candidate Iván Cepeda and far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella are facing each other, the latter with close ties to the White House.
According to the copy of the official document, Rubio allegedly maintained that Coral "used his stay in the United States to carry out political activities in support of the Petro government," an ally of Cepeda and direct rival of De la Espriella.
Coral has also justified his continued stay in the United States and has explained the context of his asylum requests, which he filed after "discovering" the identities of those allegedly responsible for the murder of his father, Captain Humberto Coral. The officer was murdered after having been one of the most prominent commanders in the operation that ended with the death of Medellín Cartel leader Pablo Escobar in December 1993.
"I have never been an agent of the aforementioned government, nor have I been an official or contractor. I am a Colombian living in exile; I am an immigrant Colombian who thinks freely," Coral concludes in his statement.
The case has sparked controversy as it appears to be the first time Marco Rubio has resorted to this power to push for the expulsion of an activist for their participation in a foreign electoral process. Until now, the Secretary of State had used this mechanism primarily to sanction individuals linked to protests against Israel.