CLThe Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) identified irregularities in the administration of the Pro-Retention subsidy by the Department of Municipal Education Administration (DAEM) in Linares. The CGR ordered administrative investigations and the return of significant public funds due to misuse of resources intended to prevent school dropout among vulnerable students. Audits revealed that 439 gift cards worth $89.5 million expired unused between 2021 and 2024, despite being meant for student clothing and footwear. Additionally, the municipality purchased 3,576 gift cards totaling $650.7 million without sufficient evidence they were delivered to students. The audit also uncovered inconsistencies in records, including 281 students who did not receive benefits and 37 students incorrectly listed. Further issues included improper financial reporting to the Education Superintendence, such as claiming payments for invoices that had not yet been issued or were overpriced.
Bias read (Center): The article presents findings from an official audit without overtly favoring any political side. It reports on mismanagement of public funds related to education subsidies, which is a politically sensitive issue, but the tone remains factual and neutral, focusing on the audit results rather than on
