The Superintendence of Companies published this month the resolution by which it sanctioned, on February 19, 2026, a company of real sector for acts related to corruption. The company in question was involved in the corruption scheme through which Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) acquired tanker trucks to supply drinking water to La Guajira Department. The sanctioned company was responsible for the purchase and supply of those vehicles to the UNGRD.
On this occasion, Superintendence was unequivocal in applying the full sanctioning regime provided under Law 2195 of 2022.
What were the sanctions?
- A fine equivalent to COP 1,298,795,622;
- Disqualification from contracting with the State;
- Publication of the sanction in widely circulated national media and periodically on the Superintendence of Companies’ website;
- Immediate removal of the company’s administrators (its legal representative);
- A 10-year ban on receiving any incentives or subsidies from the National Government.
This sanction carries an important lesson for the private sector. Having a compliance system in place is not enough if it merely satisfies formal requirements. True corruption prevention demands going beyond paper: building a solid organizational culture, backed by teams committed to promoting and reinforcing the importance of combating a phenomenon that is not exclusive to the public sector.
