Senator Erico Galeano of the Colorado Party resigned on Tuesday, hours before an extraordinary session of the Senate was set to debate his expulsion. The move came after a Court of Appeals confirmed his 13-year prison sentence for money laundering and criminal association, stemming from the Operativo A Ultranza investigation.
According to El Nacional, the resignation was submitted to the Senate's entry desk and will be formally communicated during the reading of incoming matters. Legislative official Antonio Sánchez explained that the document must be received by the Senate's entry desk or the presidency before being announced.
Galeano had previously indicated he would leave his seat, but the Senate still included his expulsion on the agenda, accelerating his departure. Political pressure had mounted after the second-instance confirmation of his conviction, with many arguing his continued presence in Congress was untenable.
In a press conference, Galeano's lawyer, Ricardo Estigarribia, stated that the resignation was made for the sake of the senator's family. The resignation is expected to be accepted during the extraordinary session, completing the procedural steps.