About the alleged irregularities in the process of contracting insurance policies of Petroecuador, which began on July 31, 2023, clarification was caused by Latina de Seguros, with a statement published in the afternoon of this Tuesday, August 15.

The company has assured that it has no relationship whatsoever with the persons appearing in the broadcast videos, nor with the alleged statements or negotiations allegedly conducted in them.

The reason for this is news published over the weekend in which audio recordings of public officials’ conversations are published. Due to this public complaint, the Secretariat for Communications of the Presidency reported that the official of the Ministry of the Government of the Republic of Croatia involved in the mentioned recordings has been removed from duty, and the other mentioned persons do not work in the public sector.

The Executive Director separates an official from the Ministry of Government for audio records regarding the employment procedure of Petroecuador insurance policies

In that audio-visual material, which circulated on social networks, it is stated that the adviser to the MUP would give a bribe of one million dollars in exchange for the cancellation of the Petroecuador insurance tender and the extension of the coverage for six months in an alleged consensus with the Coordinating Society of Public Enterprises (Emco). The National Service for Public Contracting (Sercop) and the Presidency of the Republic.

Latina de Seguros pointed out that Petroecuador’s all risk and liability insurance policies were fully issued by Hispana de Seguros and asserted that “there is not and never has been a consortium between Hispana de Seguros and Latina Seguros. What currently exists is a co-insurance contract in which Hispana de Seguros ceded 50% of the risks of the said policies to Latina Seguros, signed with the consensus of Petroecuador”.

“Latina Seguros is and always will be a responsible company that respects the law and operates within the framework of the highest ethical and moral standards. The company is at the disposal of the competent authorities to help clarify the facts to the best of its ability,” the company’s press release concludes.

The Minister of Energy, René Ortiz, defines the interference in the insurance contracting of Petroecuador

Petroecuador stated that the contracting process is carried out in accordance with the applicable legal regulations. He also showed the calendar of that process, which is available on the public procurement portal.

In addition, he clarified that all insurers in the sector who are duly qualified by the Supervisory Board for Commercial Companies, Securities and Insurance can participate and present their offers according to the specified calendar.

The government reported this fact to the State Attorney’s Office in order to conduct an investigation.