Colombian Interior Minister Reports Pegasus Spyware on Phone
Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti reported that a private forensic analysis detected Pegasus spyware on his personal phone. The minister described Pegasus as a sophisticated government-level surveillance tool and stated that official intelligence and police agencies did not alert him to the intrusion.
What happened
Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti announced that a private forensic investigation detected Pegasus spyware on his personal phone. An independent investigator performed a technical analysis and preserved records that identified the presence of Pegasus, with Benedetti stating he received a technical report and electromagnetic evidence confirming the finding.
Benedetti described Pegasus as a government-level tool costing approximately 10 million dollars that activates through a missed call and enables remote control of the phone's microphone, camera and other functions from anywhere in the world. He noted that the software modifies internal records to obscure detection, showing altered dates when he reviewed his phone.
Reported impact
Benedetti stated he did not receive alerts about the intrusion from the National Intelligence Directorate or the Computer Police, indicating a lack of confidence in organisms charged with his protection. He said the detection coincided with other episodes that complicated his management and daily life.
Index analysis
Pegasus has been documented by Citizen Lab and Amnesty International as a tool used against journalists, activists and public figures across multiple countries. In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro previously denounced the purchase and possible use of Pegasus during the prior government for political espionage, leading the Public Ministry to open a preliminary inquiry into its alleged acquisition and use.
Governance controls
Benedetti said the forensic analysis did not identify who was behind the intrusion. The minister did not offer additional public evidence beyond his disclosure and did not clarify how the initial detection was made or whether official authorities were notified.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.