Bogotá, September 9, 2025 — Colombia’s Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) has opened a formal investigation into alleged anti-competitive practices and corruption in public procurement processes carried out by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) in 2023 and 2024.
According to the SIC, evidence gathered from administrative inspections, information requests, witness statements, and coordination with the Attorney General’s Office points to a scheme that undermined free competition in six contracts worth more than 86 billion pesos. These contracts were intended to fund emergency aid for Colombia’s most vulnerable communities.
The investigation centers on alleged collusion between former UNGRD officials and contractor Luis Eduardo López Rosero, who is accused of submitting bids from multiple companies under his control to give the false appearance of competition. The SIC said these companies acted in coordination, presenting inflated bids that allowed funds to be diverted for bribes.
Former UNGRD officials Olmedo de Jesús López Martínez and Sneyder Augusto Pinilla Álvarez are alleged to have steered the procurement processes to favor López Rosero’s firms.
The SIC has issued formal charges against the former officials, contractors, López Rosero, his controlled companies, and other individuals allegedly involved. If found responsible, they could face fines of up to 100,000 monthly minimum wages — equivalent to 142.35 billion pesos.
The watchdog said the case underscores its commitment to tackling corruption that distorts competition and undermines public procurement, particularly when it harms vulnerable populations.
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