Chinese executive filmed taking cash on Colombia metro, South America’s biggest project

Chinese authorities have confirmed that a high-ranking executive from a state-owned Chinese construction company was filmed allegedly accepting a large sum of cash during a meeting in Bogota, Colombia, linked to the ongoing development of the city's metro system, the largest infrastructure project in South America. The incident, captured on video and presented to Colombian prosecutors, involves a Chinese contractor reportedly demanding payment from a local subcontractor in exchange for processing overdue invoices related to the metro project. The video, which lasts approximately 26 minutes, shows the legal representative of a Colombian subcontractor named Union Temporal Metrobuild handing over 60 million Colombian pesos, equivalent to around $19,000, to a commercial manager of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). The meeting took place on April 18 at the former offices of CHEC in Bogota’s Teusaquillo district. In the footage, the Colombian contractor pulls a dark bag from his suitcase and hands it to the Chinese executive, who is identified in the criminal complaint only as Yang. The Colombian representative tells Yang in English that each package contains 5 million pesos, or about $1,600. Yang then spends roughly 10 minutes counting the banknotes before writing what appears to be a receipt in a notebook. The alleged transaction forms the basis of a formal complaint filed with the Colombian Prosecutor’s Office. According to the complaint, the payment was demanded as a prerequisite for CHEC to approve invoices ranging from 1 billion to 1.2 billion pesos ($320,000 to $380,000) that Union Temporal Metrobuild claims it is owed for work completed in March. The subcontractor alleges that these funds were withheld due to disputes over the quality of its work on the metro project. The consortium responsible for constructing the Bogota metro has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the money exchanged was a retention payment agreed upon between the two firms as part of a contractual disagreement regarding the standard of the subcontractor’s performance. The consortium emphasized that all financial transactions were conducted in accordance with the terms outlined in their contract. The video, obtained by Semana, Colombia’s leading news magazine, has been submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office as evidence in the ongoing investigation. The publication noted that the footage has already sparked public interest and raised questions about the transparency of international contracts involving major infrastructure projects in Latin America. The case could have broader implications for foreign investment in the region, particularly given the involvement of a Chinese state-owned enterprise in one of the continent’s most ambitious developments. Union Temporal Metrobuild has not publicly commented on the situation beyond the information included in the criminal complaint. Meanwhile, CHEC representatives have declined to provide further statements, citing the need to cooperate fully with the ongoing judicial process. The company operates under the umbrella of China Communications Construction Company Limited, a major player in global infrastructure development. The Bogota metro project, known officially as Line 1, is being constructed by a consortium comprising China Harbour Engineering Company, Spanish firm Acciona, and Colombian firm Colpatriia. The line is expected to connect key areas of the capital and significantly reduce traffic congestion once completed. However, delays and controversies surrounding the project have already drawn criticism from local officials and residents. The investigation into the alleged bribery is being handled by Colombian prosecutors, who have requested additional documentation and testimonies from both parties involved. Legal experts suggest that if the allegations are substantiated, the case could lead to charges of corruption and breach of contract, potentially affecting future international collaborations in the region. The outcome of this probe will likely influence how such large-scale infrastructure projects are managed and monitored moving forward.