Colombian Senator Barrera Avoids Jail Pending Sexual Abuse Probe

A Colombian court declined to remand Senator Alirio Barrera to pretrial detention, allowing him to remain free while the investigation into alleged sexual abuse during his tenure as governor of Casanare continues. The decision is a procedural ruling, not a merits determination, and the case remains active. It matters as a high-profile test of judicial handling of sexual-abuse allegations against a sitting politician.