Chinese executive filmed taking cash on Colombia metro, South America’s biggest project
Colombian authorities are probing claims that executives from China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) solicited cash from local subcontractor Union Temporal Metrobuild to release payments. This investigation was reported by Semana. CHEC refutes any allegations of misconduct, asserting that the payment was a retention fee stemming from a contractual disagreement. A 26-minute video captures a representative from Union Temporal Metrobuild handing over 60 million pesos (US$19,000) to CHEC's commercial manager, known as Yang, on April 18 in Bogota. The contractor reportedly indicated that each package contained 5 million pesos (US$1,600). This payment was allegedly required for CHEC to authorize invoices amounting to 1 to 1.2 billion pesos (US$320,000 to US$380,000) for work completed in March, raising red flags about corruption involving Chinese state-owned companies overseas.
Key facts
- Colombian prosecutors are investigating allegations against executives of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) demanding cash from a subcontractor.
- The investigation was published by Semana, Colombia's leading news magazine.
- The consortium building the Bogota metro has denied wrongdoing, saying the money was a retention payment in a contractual dispute.
- A 26-minute video shows the legal representative of Union Temporal Metrobuild handing over 60 million pesos (US$19,000) in cash to a CHEC commercial manager.
- The exchange occurred at CHEC's former offices in Bogota's Teusaquillo district on April 18.
- The Chinese executive, identified only as Yang, counted the banknotes for about 10 minutes and wrote a receipt.
- The payment was allegedly demanded to approve invoices worth 1 billion to 1.2 billion pesos (US$320,000 to US$380,000) for work done in March.
- The Bogota metro is South America's biggest infrastructure project.
Entities
Institutions
- China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC)
- Union Temporal Metrobuild
- Semana
- Colombian Prosecutor's Office
Locations
- Colombia
- Bogota
- Teusaquillo district