Laura Sarabia Facing Allegations of Controlling Grupo Bicentenario
Laura Sarabia, currently serving as the Chancellor, is finding herself at the center of a growing controversy. Allegations are surfacing that she is exerting undue influence over Grupo Bicentenario, a powerful financial group linked to the Ministry of Finance. These claims, amplified by leaked audio recordings, are raising serious questions about transparency and political interference in the management of state financial assets.
According to reporting by Pulzo, since mid-2024, Sarabia and her advisor Jaime Ramírez Cobo have been accused of improperly influencing the operations of Grupo Bicentenario, a conglomerate encompassing 13 financial entities with assets exceeding 183 billion pesos (Otero, 2024). The accusations stem from leaked audio in which Piedad Muñoz, the General Director of State Participations, is purportedly implementing directives from the Ministry of Finance to facilitate this control.
Concerns Over Board Member Selection
Sebastián Echeverri, the legal advisor for Grupo Bicentenario, has voiced concerns that Sarabia's influence is impacting the selection of board members. He alleges that political considerations are being prioritized over the independence and qualifications of candidates. «Sarabia and Ramírez have maintained absolute control over the boards since day one,» Echeverri is heard saying in the leaked recordings, fueling worries about the legitimacy of decisions made within these crucial financial institutions.
This situation, Echeverri warns, could potentially lead to sanctions from state supervisors due to the lack of qualified, independent members on the boards. The absence of clear responses from Sarabia and the current Minister of Finance, Germán Ávila, regarding these accusations is only intensifying concerns about the transparency of the conglomerate's management.
What Exactly Does Grupo Bicentenario Do?
Established in 2019 through Decree Law 2111, Grupo Bicentenario is a state-owned financial conglomerate with the ambitious goal of becoming the third-largest financial group in Colombia, trailing only Grupo Aval and Sura-Bancolombia. Its structure incorporates 13 public financial entities working in concert to deliver modern and sustainable financial solutions. These entities span crucial sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, commerce, and housing, thereby fostering Colombia's economic and social advancement.
Operating under private law regulations, as stated on its official webpage, Grupo Bicentenario aims to ensure transparency and efficiency in its operations. The group is linked to the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, further underscoring its significance in the national economic landscape.
Laura Sarabia's History of Controversies
This is not the first time Laura Sarabia has faced public scrutiny. She has been embroiled in several high-profile scandals, which are now resurfacing in light of these new allegations:
- Illegal Interceptions: Marelbys Meza, a former nanny in Sarabia's household, reported being the target of illegal wiretapping and abuse of power. This case has already resulted in convictions for some police officers, according to Semana.
- Relationship with Armando Benedetti: Leaked audio revealed Armando Benedetti, former ambassador to Venezuela, suggesting that the revelation of information regarding Gustavo Petro's presidential campaign could lead to numerous incarcerations. Sarabia testified before the National Electoral Council (CNE) regarding these events.
- Scandal of Paper EPS and Coosalud: Investigations by W Radio and El Nuevo Siglo have connected Laura Sarabia to a corruption scheme within the health sector involving the EPS Coosalud. This alleged scheme purportedly diverted public funds to shell companies in Spain. Sources familiar with the case suggest Sarabia may have influenced the removal of Luis Carlos Leal from the Superintendence of Health just as he began uncovering irregularities in Coosalud. Additionally, Sarabia allegedly had knowledge of excessive and premature payments made by Coosalud to allied IPS, sparking considerable debate regarding the transparency of health resource management.
- Involvement in the UNGRD Scandal: Regarding the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, Sandra Ortiz, former advisor for the Regions, accused Sarabia of knowing about irregularities in the acquisition of tanker trucks intended to deliver water to La Guajira. According to Ortiz, Sarabia orchestrated a plot against her to divert attention from these accusations. Although Sarabia has vehemently denied these allegations, investigations have indicated that her advisor, Jaime Ramírez Cobo, may also be implicated in the approval of multi-million dollar contracts related to this case, as reported by El Colombiano and Semana.
What's Next?
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on whether Laura Sarabia and her associates have indeed overstepped their boundaries in influencing the Grupo Bicentenario. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant repercussions for the individuals involved and the overall credibility of the Colombian financial system. The public is waiting for clarity and accountability as these serious allegations are being addressed.
