World IN BRIEF : COLOMBIA : Official Steps Down to Face Accusations

Colombia’s foreign minister stepped down to confront charges that he helped President Ernesto Samper win election with money from the Cali drug cartel. “I am separating myself temporarily from the activities of foreign minister while the prosecutor general decides my legal situation,” Rodrigo Pardo said in a statement. Prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into Pardo and two other ministers last week. If evidence merits a trial, they would be jailed and removed from their posts. Deputy Foreign Minister Camilo Reyes will head the ministry in Pardo’s absence.