Ultimatum from the Comptroller to the Victims Unit for contracts with the Land Agency; there are doubts

The Contraloría General de la República has issued a five-day ultimatum to the Agencia Nacional de Tierras, demanding full transparency over two intergovernmental contracts signed with the Unidad para la Atención de Víctimas. The contracts, which have raised concerns due to inconsistencies, require the agency led by Juan Felipe Harman to provide detailed information to resolve discrepancies. The audit, initiated by the Contraloría, has uncovered fiscal irregularities exceeding 800 billion pesos related to the Chirajara viaduct, though this particular case remains unresolved. The Contraloría’s request was formalized through a three-page letter sent by Sonia Patricia Bolívar, head of compliance auditing for the Unit, who is affiliated with the Contraloría delegation under the Sector Inclusión Social. This letter was addressed to Aliz Duneika Aguilar, director of the entity, urging her to ensure follow-up on the audit regarding these agreements. The Contraloría specifically asked the Coordinator of the Fund for Victims' Reparation to submit a detailed report on progress and monitoring of the contract numbered ANT-202413098, signed with the National Lands Agency. Among the key demands outlined in the letter is the delivery of the commercial appraisal of 88 properties, which have yet to be received by the Victims' Reparation Fund. This step is essential for conducting quality checks before proceeding with sales and title registration via the National Lands Agency. Additionally, the Contraloría requested copies of minutes documenting the handover of properties delivered in advance or through final disposition, as the National Lands Agency still has pending matters with the Victims' Reparation Fund. The Contraloría also asked for a response to a prior information request made on August 4, 2026, by the Coordinator of the Victims' Reparation Fund. That request sought updates on the status of the aforementioned contract. Alongside this, they required the appraisal of 88 out of 292 properties, copies of property handover documents, and notes issued by the Notary Superintendency to understand how the National Lands Agency corrected issues in these cases. Furthermore, the Contraloría demanded financial statements of the agreements, reports on the supervision of such acts, and confirmation whether any non-compliance by the National Lands Agency has been reported. If so, they requested details on whether sanctions have been initiated against the agency for such violations. The situation highlights ongoing scrutiny into administrative contracts involving the Victims' Reparation Fund and the National Lands Agency. These audits aim to ensure accountability and proper management of public resources, particularly in areas where large sums of money are involved. The deadline set by the Contraloría underscores the urgency of resolving these discrepancies, which could impact both the efficiency of land transactions and the trust placed in governmental institutions handling victims' reparations. As the deadline approaches, all parties involved will need to respond fully to the requests, ensuring clarity and adherence to legal and fiscal standards.