Profile of Julio Gerlein mentioned in the case of Aida Merlano - Barranquilla - Colombia

The name of Julio Gerlein Echeverria It has come out publicly again in the last few hours. This time, not because of the works in which his contracting firm participates, but because of the case Aida Merlano to which he has been linked since 2018.

(Also read: How Aida Merlano’s statements affect Alex Char’s campaign)

In an audio broadcast this Thursday by the former congresswoman’s lawyer, Miguel Angel del Rioa dialogue is heard between Merlano Rebolledo and Gerlein, who assures him that he contributed 12,000 million pesos for his election.

But who is Julio Gerlein Echeverría? He is part of a traditional family from Barranquilla. He was born in 1940 and is the brother of the deceased George and Robert Gerlein.

The rise of Valorcon

Unlike his brothers, Julio stayed out of politics, at least not directly involved. He trained as a civil engineer at the Javeriana university and, after gaining experience in the construction sector, founded Valorcon in 1992.

Since then, with the firm, he has become a powerful public contracting authority, participating in hundreds of housing projects, roads, industry, sports and even in the navigability of the Magdalena River.

This is how it was linked in the construction of the Metropolitan Stadiumwas also once in the operation of sewage, aqueduct and sanitation of Triple A, and in the construction of the roads for the Transmetro mass transportation system.

He also participated together with Odebrechtin the Navelena Consortium, which was assigned the recovery of the navigability of the Magdalena River, through a Public Private Partnership (PPP), signed by the national government and Cormagdalena.

Also: Did Ingrid Betancourt and Alejandro Gaviria reconcile in Barranquilla?)

However, it was expired in 2017 due to alleged hiring irregularities.

Similarly, it was linked to the North Connection Highway Concession, worth 875,000 thousand million pesos, for the work of a fourth generation road, which connects Bajo Cauca with the Coast.

Gerlein’s participation with Valorcon also reached the remodeling works of the Ernesto Cortissoz airportfrom Barranquilla, in 2015. With an initial investment of 610,000 million pesos, it was awarded to Grupo Aeroportuario del Caribe.

This conformation is made up of Valorcon, with 41.5 percent; Universal Team and Ghafari Associates. The project has been questioned due to the delay in the delivery of the works and due to the current appearance of the air terminal, with leaks inside.

His relationship with Aida Merlano Rebolledo

The Gerlein family has also participated in the Barranquilla Carnival. Especially in 2014, when Julio’s granddaughter, Maria Margarita Diazgranados Gerlein it was the queen. For the coronation party, they hired the singer Juan Luis Guerra.

But it was not the only time that Gerlein was related to the “carnestolendas”, as his wife Margarita Villa de Gerlein was also queen of these parties in the year 1988.

Since the Colombian authorities raided the called ‘White House’ by Aida MerlanoIn 2018, more details of the relationship that both had and from which Gerlein has tried to distance himself were known.

(You may be interested in: The scuffle between Gustavo Petro and Álex Char after a debate in Barranquilla)

Thread of a conversation between Aida Merlano and Julio Gerlein establishes how their campaign received money from Serfinanza, the company of the Char and Faisal Cure in the purchase of votes. This is not a political game. They are crimes and they involve the coastal mafias. And more will come! Part 1 pic.twitter.com/nNBN5zRDeq

– Miguel Angel Del Río Malo (@migueldelrioabg) February 10, 2022

One of Merlano Rebolledo’s childhood dreams was to reach the political spectrum. This is how she found, according to previous versions, support from this family, especially from Julio, who took her from a neighborhood in the south-west of the city and took her to live in an apartment in the north.

It must be remembered that, prior to her relationship with Julio Gerlein, the former congresswoman had as her second husband the former councilman of Barranquilla and today a candidate for the Senate, Carlos Rojano Llinaswho was trying to take Gerlein’s place in Congress, but the scandal broke in 2018.

Gerlein gradually involved her with the heads of the Conservative party until her launch as a candidate for the Senate four years ago, obtaining the number of votes necessary to get there.

Further, his daughter, Aida Victoria, has publicly supported the father figure that the man meant to her, denoting the strong bond they had between the three. Because of this confession, the young woman has been the target of threats.

Julio Gerlein was charged by the Attorney General’s Office for alleged illegal financing of the ‘White House’.

This institution pointed him out for the crimes of conspiracy to commit a crime, corruption of the voter and violation of the ceilings or limits of expenses in electoral campaigns.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, “it was established that the organization worked at the service of candidacies that were supported by a group of regional political leaders who, in turn, contacted leaders in charge of recruiting voters from their captive markets. Such voters received money in exchange for their vote, as if it were a commodity, from illicit financing sources.

BARRANQUILLA

More content from Colombia:

– The scout trip that ended in tragedy at the top of La Línea

– Government declares two new areas for copper mining in Cesar

– They were recommended to leave their new apartment for having ‘very noisy sex’

Barranquilla: Hope Center candidates at Aida Merlano's house - Barranquilla - Colombia

After visiting Santa Marta, the presidential candidates of the Hope Center Coalition They continued their tour of the Caribbean region this Wednesday, visiting Barranquilla.

(Also read: The reaction of Álex Char’s wife to Aida Merlano’s statements)

From the early hours of the day, Juan Manuel Galán, Alejandro Gaviria, Jorge Enrique Robledo, Carlos Amaya, Sergio Fajardo and Juan Fernando Cristo walked the streets of the city and one of the first stops they made was in front of the ‘White House’ of Aida Merlano.

The #EsperanzaCaribbean arrives in Barranquilla. Sending a message from Aída Merlano’s infamous ‘White House’

It must be remembered that this is the name given to the house that was raided by authorities in 2018, in the middle of election day, where they found alleged evidence with which they point to the former congresswoman today.

“Our second day begins on the Centro Esperanza Coalition tour on the Caribbean Coast. The #EsperanzaCaribbean arrives in Barranquilla. Sending a message from Aída Merlano’s infamous ‘White House’. Due to the seriousness of his accusations, Alex Char must renounce his candidacy, “Robledo said on Twitter.

The ‘White House’ is located in the north of the Atlantic capital and is currently in a state of abandonment.

For its part, Alejandro Gaviria stated: “We are touring the streets of Barranquilla with the Centro Esperanza Coalition. Together we send a message of unity and #EsperanzaCaribe.”

(You may be interested: Centro Esperanza Coalition began to move the chips in the Caribbean)

More details of Centro Esperanza’s visit to the city

The members of this Coalition took advantage of their visit to the capital of the Atlantic to launch the list of the House of Representatives for the Atlantic at the El Prado hotel, prior to the elections that will take place on March 13.

There they touched on different issues that affect the city, such as the costs and quality of the electricity service, operated by Air-e; the public service provided by Triple A and the food safety suffered by local vulnerable communities.

They also presented themselves to the local media, in the afternoon they plan to tour the Historic Center of Barranquilla and will continue their journey through the region to present their proposals.

BARRANQUILLA

More content from Colombia:

– ‘Run and save yourself!’, Pereira’s dramatic survivor warning

– Australian citizen was murdered at his home in San Agustín, Huila

– They denounce bad odors that come from Legal Medicine in Santa Marta

Álex Char: Katia Nule's reaction to Aida Merlano's statements - Barranquilla - Colombia

Katia Nule, wife of presidential candidate Alejandro Char, spoke out this Tuesday morning about the recent statements and images that have come to light about Aida Merlano.

(Also read: ‘Aida Merlano will be sued for false testimony’: Álex Char’s lawyer)

“They say that the past stepped on, and the present head on. And so it must be. That is why I want to tell you that all this information that has come out lately is not new to me or to my family,” said the former first lady of Barranquilla.

This is how the first known declaration of Nule began, since the confessions of former congresswoman Merlano about her contacts and closeness with Álex Char.

The woman, who is shown in a video broadcast in the last few hours on social networks, maintained that the information is old, “but above all outdated.”

To the past, stepped on.
This is Katia Nule, wife of Alex Char, dirty politician, they think she will resign, but this is old, if the captain knows, the sailors stay put, nothing happens, gentlemen. pic.twitter.com/bcxNSqckZQ

— Meli Castell (@meli_castell) February 8, 2022

The rejection of recent events

This is not my first political campaign, I know how this works

“I understand that many issues come up in political campaigns, a lot of information comes out. And I know, because this is not my first political campaign, I know how this works. However, there is a subject that must be untouchable, which is the family, ”she said.

He rejected and confessed that it causes him “a lot of pain” that people use these facts to “go over the feelings”. In addition, she thanked all the people for the messages of support, strength and solidarity.

(You may be interested in: How Aida Merlano’s statements affect Alex Char’s campaign)

“People who know me know that all this information is not going to destabilize me, it is not going to affect me, it is not going to break me or my family,” said the former queen of the Barranquilla Carnival.

Finally, Nule invited Colombians, sympathizers and “those who want to live in a country of opportunities” not to be sidetracked, not to be distracted and to work with respect.

BARRANQUILLA

More content from Colombia:

– Misfits attack a stone parrot until death in Riohacha

– They denounce that a fraud in the elections is being forged in Magdalena

– Tragedy in Pereira: landslide buried several houses and 9 dead

How Aida Merlano's statements affect Alex Char - Barranquilla - Colombia

The decision of driving away char to go ahead with his presidential campaign after the backlash caused by the statements of the former senator and fugitive from justice Aida Merlanoimply that the candidate will not only have to legally defend himself against the accusations, but now he will have to go out to debate in public, which until now he had avoided.

(Also: ‘Aida Merlano will be denounced for false testimony’: Álex Char’s lawyer)

That is one of the readings that political scientists, university professors and journalists consulted by TIME they maintain, explaining how the campaign of the former mayor of Barranquilla would be affected, after Merlano’s accusations.

Luis Fernando Trejosdirector of the UNCaribe Thought Center, considers that it is undeniably affecting the image of the pre-candidate, which can translate into the loss of opinion votes, but, he explains, “it must be taken into account that his campaign is not sustained on the opinion vote but on a great electoral infrastructure (machinery) that would be complemented with those that the other members of his coalition have”.

(Read: Barranquilla registers decrease in covid-19 pandemic indicators)

His campaign is not sustained on the opinion vote but on a great electoral infrastructure (machinery)

What is clear, adds Trejos, is that in the midst of this particular situation, “his strategy of not debating in public and using a lot of Tiktok can give his competitors an advantage inside and outside his coalition.”

Alexander White, a doctor in political science, explains that a large part of Alejandro Char’s candidacy for the presidency has been based on him as a person. He recalls that Char has often tried to show a solid family full of traditional values ​​on social networks.

Alex Char and Aida Merlano.

“Therefore, given the circumstances, Merlano’s testimony has transcended from the personal to the public sphere. In an intentional way, the pre-candidate Char was in charge of linking his family and his personal life as part of his campaign strategy, ”says Blanco.

Regarding the judicial effects that they could generate, Blanco estimates that they would not be immediate, and he thinks that the first results of the investigation could take more than six months and the presidential elections are within three months. “For this reason, the legal viability of his pre-candidacy, up to now, would not be affected.”

I don’t think gossip hurts local powers. However, if evidence were to be found, surely yes.

The case that continues to move on social networks, is seen by the university professor Jay Vegaas nothing new for the city, indicating that many of the things he says have been part of everyday Vox Populi for a long time.

Vega states that it is not strange for the city that the Gerlein group through Valorcon has been one of the mega-contractors of House Char.

“The important thing here is not to pre-judge and not leave everything to gossip, but rather that both the press and the control and justice agencies investigate and contribute to clarifying things. I don’t think gossip hurts local powers. However, if evidence were to be found, surely yes,” he says.

(Be sure to read: Barranquilla Police ask shopkeepers not to close businesses due to extortion)

for the political scientist Jessyka Manotasone cannot lose sight of the fact that the relationship between Char and Merlano is not only a matter of the private sphere, since this case acquires importance in the public and political agenda, based on all the revelations that imply possible crimes of corruption. and even a complaint for rape and attempted murder.

He considers that while the investigations progress, the analysis cannot be diverted or minimized to memes or ridicule on networks and should invite reflection on the traditional political structures and practices in the Caribbean Region and their impacts on our democratic culture.

On the other hand, Manotas maintains, it is clear that Alejandro Char’s main electoral flow is concentrated in the Caribbean Region, as shown by the most recent survey by the National Consulting Center, which shows a voting intention of 19% in this area of ​​the country. country, second only to Gustavo Petro.

Alejandro Char began his foray through the towns of the Caribbean.

Photo:

Alejandro Char press team

“However, in other regions (Coffee belt, Antioquia, center…) Char does not have the same level of recognition and political backing, and this scandal affects even more the perception of his image, especially in more conservative and opinion-voting sectors of the interior of the country, taking into account the wide dissemination that this case has had in the media and social networks, where it is concentrated a lot of the national discussion,” he says.

The political analyst warns that this fact can negatively affect to the candidate who has built his messages and narratives based on his image or personal figure as a leader, even above country-specific proposals or agendas.

(Don’t stop reading: They ask for transportation for children from Sucre who walk kilometers to study)

“It is important to wait for the results of future measurements in order to evaluate the impact that this situation may eventually have on the intention to vote in the The Caribbean Region and the rest of the country or if its political communication strategy and the power and influence that the Char family has over various regional media outlets is sufficient to tone down these events, although it is a difficult scenario considering the proximity of the votes,” he stresses.

political journalists They have also delved into the subject and the political connotations it would have, as is the case of Jean Pier Serna, who recognizes that Char is very strong in the Colombian Caribbean and estimates that he aspires to obtain one million 700 thousand votes in the entire region, 700 thousand of which should leave the Atlantic for which he is working. “The greatest difficulty for him can be generated in the opinion vote.”

while Edgar Salas that on his website edgarsalas.com.co, where he permanently analyzes political activity, especially Magdalena, he assures that this fact will not affect Alejandro Char’s proselytizing campaign at all, the Caribbean receives the fact as a unique personal situation.

Salas remembers Gabo to conclude: “nothing has happened here, we are a happy people, people will say, and when Char arrives they will yell President! The man with the cap”.

Read more news from Colombia here

They create a machine that facilitates the roasting of Quindío coffee

Bogotá, the Latin American capital of traffic jams

Erosion threatens the provision of water service in Salamina, Magdalena

Alex Char will denounce Aida Merlano for false testimony - Barranquilla - Colombia

After the statements made by the former senator and today a fugitive from justice, Aida Merlano, during this weekend against the candidate for the Presidency of the Republic, Alex Char, the applicant’s lawyer announced this Monday before the media that a complaint will be filed for false testimony against Merlano.

(Also: Aida Merlano’s lawyer announces that she will file a new complaint)

In a statement delivered to the media this Monday morning, Bazzani recalled that two years ago the former senator appeared for the first time in an interview narrating a story very similar to the one this weekend, the Char family filed a complaint against Merlano for insult and calumny.

“We are going to add at this time for the crime of false testimony and for the clear acts of obstruction of justice that come from certain political movements that are trying to use judicial processes for electoral purposes, harming people, because it is not possible. Politics must have serious rules, the electorate must be respected and the institutional framework must be respected. With the dignity of people cannot be played for political purposes, “said the lawyer.

(Be sure to read: The neighborhoods that will be without power this Monday in Barranquilla)

In addition, he expressed that on that occasion of the appearance of Aida Merlano two years ago, in which she also exposed a story against the Char, not only statements were made against the family, but also involved the President of the Republic and the former prosecutor Nestor Humberto Martinez, for the purpose of disrepute.

Bazzani added: “It is a story that goes back a long time and that begins when the lady escapes after being convicted by the Supreme Court of Justice and invents a supposed plot. The only thing that is clear is that the lady is protected by the regime of Nicholas Maduro and it appears with the intention of doing clear political damage to a candidacy. That’s the only thing that’s clear.”

We are going to add at this time for the crime of perjury, and for the clear acts of obstruction of justice that come from certain political movements

Regarding the alleged video evidence delivered by the former senator, Bazzani assured that There is nothing new, since these have been in the criminal file for three years and were assessed by the Supreme Court of Justice, and based on which a conviction was made against Merlano.

“It is one more chapter, a vile, dirty and political strategy that wants to go over the dignity of people. It wants to harm families in order to capture votes, instead of dedicating itself to offering programs, ideas, results, management evaluations of government of the candidates. That the administration of justice is not used because it is disrespectful to try to use the Court for electoral purposes,” the jurist pointed out.

For his part, the lawyer Miguel Ángel Del Río Malo announced that he will file new complaints for facts associated with the statements of his client, the convicted former congresswoman Aida Merlano.

“This week Mr. Álex Char and members of his family will be denounced for the kidnapping and subsequent rape of Aida Merlano. Not all the gold in the world will help them save themselves,” said the lawyer.

More content from Colombia:

Terror in the town of Córdoba for murders of young people for ‘social cleansing’

Threats against social leaders in Cesar tarnish the electoral campaign