In a revelation that has sparked controversy, a senior US official confirmed that the United States financed the purchase of Israeli-made Pegasus spyware for Colombian security forces in 2020. This purchase was made without the knowledge or consent of then-President Ivan Duque, adding a layer of secrecy to the operation.
The US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, corroborated a report in the Colombian daily newspaper El Tiempo that the software was intended for use in investigations of drug trafficking activities. However, the software’s capabilities raise serious concerns. Pegasus has the ability to remotely access messages, calls, files, and even activate the microphone and camera of a target phone, effectively turning a device into a surveillance tool.
While the US official denied the use of Pegasus for any purpose other than drug investigations, the lack of transparency surrounding the purchase has fueled anxieties about potential misuse. In September 2022, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a leftist leader, publicly denounced the acquisition of Pegasus, alleging that it could be used for illicit surveillance of political leaders and activists under the previous right-wing administration of Duque.
Adding to the controversy, international media reported in 2021 that the Pegasus software had been used to spy on hundreds of individuals, including politicians, journalists, activists, and business leaders across the globe. This revelation further fueled concerns about the potential for abuse and raised questions about the ethical implications of using such powerful surveillance technology.
In the wake of these revelations, the United States decided to terminate the program before Petro assumed power in 2022, but chose not to inform him about the program’s existence or its acquisition. This omission has further heightened tensions between the two countries and raised questions about the US government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in its international surveillance operations.
The revelation of the US-funded purchase of Pegasus and the subsequent controversy highlight the complexities and ethical dilemmas surrounding the use of surveillance technologies. The incident also underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the deployment of such powerful tools, especially when they involve foreign governments and sensitive data.
