BOGOTA, Dec 5, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Colombian Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla resigned at the request of President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday, after accusations he turned a blind eye to the bribery of parliamentarians.

A former advisor accused Bonilla last week of knowing that lawmakers were being paid off in return for backing key reforms promised by Petro.

The attorney general's office alleges the bribes were paid with $200,000 taken from public funds.

Bonilla has maintained his innocence.

But Petro said at a press conference that Bonilla would be replaced by his deputy, Diego Guevara.

Petro told reporters he had asked for Bonilla's resignation "not because I believe he is guilty, but because they want to destroy him for his loyalty" to the president.

A sweeping corruption scandal has engulfed numerous top government officials, as well as MPs from both the ruling party and the opposition.

In July, the country's intelligence chief, a close ally of President Petro, resigned after prosecutors accused him of overseeing the bribery of parliamentary leaders to speed up the passage of bills.

Petro came to power in 2022 with an ambitious agenda of social reforms.