This Friday, October 16, Colombia’s first lady, Ana Lucia Pineda, is expected to publish a detailed accountability report on the financial donations collected by the Colombia Luz y Sonrisas Foundation, which she directs, to provide assistance to the victims of the earthquake that struck on August 10.
This was reported by the wife of President Abelardo de la Espriella during an interview with the program Nuestras Mañanas (Our Mornings) on the regional channel Telecaribe, in which she rejected the accusations against her and categorically denied having appropriated public or private funds, as opposition sectors have sought to suggest.
“No information is being hidden here,” Pineda said in the interview. “Our commitment is social and based on absolute transparency,” she said, reiterating that the report would be published no later than this Friday, October 16.
Funds Reserved for “Phase Two”
She also explained why the cash collected through the “Colombia, One Heart” campaign has not yet been invested in housing infrastructure projects.
She specified that, on her own initiative and with the approval of the foundation’s board of directors, the decision was made to reserve all the funds received for “phase two” of the project, which is aimed at rebuilding durable homes for the affected families.
“I have also taken the initiative to build and give the victims back a home that will last… I cannot dedicate myself to rebuilding in an irresponsible manner,” she stressed.
“Absolutely all the money from the donations we received remains in the foundation’s accounts,” Pineda assured, adding that reconstruction requires responsible planning and strict compliance with the applicable legal framework, which means it is not possible to improvise when providing solutions for those affected.
Following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake, Pineda was entrusted with leading the “Colombia, One Heart” campaign, which has already presented preliminary reports on the delivery of material assistance.
According to figures reported by the campaign, the humanitarian effort has benefited more than 48,000 people through the delivery of 5,813 tons of aid. Its operations have covered 80 municipalities in eight departments, with the participation of 166 companies and organizations, more than 1,250 volunteers, and 24 companies from the transportation sector.
A Caricaturist’s Virulent Attack
One of the most widely publicized accusations against Pineda came from caricaturist Julio Cesar Gonzalez Quiceno, known as Matador. In a virulent attack that the country has not hesitated to condemn as misogynistic, Gonzalez Quiceno reprimanded and questioned Pineda over the donations collected in response to the earthquake.
In a disrespectful manner, Gonzalez Quiceno referred to the first lady as a “little rat” and insinuated that she had done something with the money she had collected months earlier following the events in Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Choco, and other areas affected by the earthquake.
Although the Colombia Luz y Sonrisas Foundation issued a statement and clarified what had happened to the funds, Pineda also gave her account on Telecaribe.
“There have been so many attacks, but a lie will not bring down the truth of who I am, what I stand for, or how my children recognize me. I have it here, here, I brought it with me, because, well, I do things as the law describes,” she said.
She explained that her permits are in order. In fact, the National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN) confirmed that the Colombia Luz y Sonrisas Foundation has a valid Single Tax Registry (RUT) and belongs to the Special Tax Regime (RTE), meaning it is legally authorized to receive donations and issue certificates for tax benefits.
“All the money from the donations we received remains in the foundation’s accounts, absolutely all of it,” Pineda emphasized.
“By Friday at the latest, the entire accountability report will be posted on our foundation’s website so that everyone can access it,” the first lady stressed. “No information is being hidden here. Our commitment here is social and based on complete transparency in every respect.”