Alleged fraud reported at the El Prado hotel in Barranquilla

They were denounced by the FTP Consortium, the former legal representative and suppliers of the Hotel El Prado for a detriment of about 10 billion pesos. According to the authorities, a total of 5 complaints were filed by the Consortium, who is the current operator of El Prado.

Fraud, procedural fraud, breach of trust, falsehood in private documents, and aggravated theft are the crimes of which Jaime Espinosa is accused, after audits after his departure. Also among those alleged to be involved is Carlos Hidalgo, who was responsible for the contracts and outsourced all the companies that were reported by the FTP Consortium.

Bianith Bohórquez, who is the legal representative of the Consortium, said: “The contracts had not been fully fulfilled and what had been estimated for one thing did not end up being and that was incurring more expenses. Multiple audits were carried out and these findings were determined,” he also pointed out that the detriment has been coming since 2017.

“That was delivered, what has been affected is the assets of the investor and the Consortium that is responsible for the award of the contract by Hotel El Prado,” Bohórquez said, stressing that despite the detriment and possible delay, there is no danger to the Hotel's investments.

On more information about the 'Golden Gate', a barranquilla zoo was recognized as a Science Center. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MinCiencias) recognized the Barranquilla Zoo (ZooBaq) as a Science Center, which will allow this entity to access resources for its institutional strengthening. This designation will allow ZooBAQ to become a driver of science, technology and innovation in the Caribbean region.

“2022 is a particularly symbolic year to receive this certification, as it marks 70 years since the creation of the Zoo, which has a national and international leadership and trajectory in biodiversity education, research and conservation, with national and international allies,” said ZooBaq.

It should be noted that the Barranquilla Zoo is key in the consolidation of the Atlantic capital as a biodiversity city. The entity leads initiatives for environmental education, citizen science and recognition of the services that biodiversity provides to the city and citizens.

It is noted that less than a year ago the Barranquilla Zoo was internationally accredited by the Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (ALPZA), an organization that brings together the most prestigious zoological institutions in Latin America known for promoting animal welfare and environmental education.

“Despite being a year of great financial challenges and uncertainty for the future, the Barranquilla Zoo did not let down its guard and continued to work towards improving its standards, in order to obtain the accreditation granted by the Latin American zoos and aquariums guild, Alpza,” ZooBaq said in a press release.

The institution began the accreditation process in March 2020, just as it entered into a crisis due to the covid-19 pandemic, which forced the place to close and affected finances to the point where the zoo's directives did not know how to feed the animals. After conducting donation campaigns and receiving the help of people from all over the world and public and private entities, ZooBAQ was able to consolidate itself as an institution that looks after the welfare of species.

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