Money’s irresistible power
Over the last few years the Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht has paid a total of USD800m in bribes to high-ranking politicians right across Latin America. Through this network of dependencies the corporate group was able to win several public-sector orders which they in turn realised at excessive prices.
A week ago a commission made up of Peruvian prosecuting attorneys went to Brazil to question Jorge Barata, Odebrecht’s former representative for Peru. He is currently in prison, but, since he is working closely with the judiciary, he can hope for a milder sentence.
The effect of the details that Barata reveals in these conversations has shattered Peruvian politics like a hydrogen bomb. The tabloids have reduced it to one formula: “Every politician has received money from Odebrecht.” Willing takers of the generous bribes flowing from Brazil have been found right through the political spectrum.
The corruption is so rampant that none of the influential parties can point their fingers. It seems that all leading political figures are sitting in the greenhouse.
The esteem in which most politicians are held nowadays is lower than that of a dodgy-looking second-hand car dealer. If you are looking for integrity on South America’s corridors, you have to look long and hard. The population is asking the question: Do any political role-models still exist?
