Lessons from the Odebrecht scandal in Latin America show need for new technology

(Photo: Rodrigo Abd – AP)

The biggest bribery scandal in Latin America’s recent memory — the Odebrecht construction giant’s nearly $800 million in illegal payments to government officials in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela and several other countries — should become a turning point in the region’s fight against corruption.

There are several new ideas that anti-corruption experts are studying that could help countries prevent government corruption. They should be tried right away, before corruption erodes what’s left of public trust in Latin American democracies.

The Odebrecht scandal has already become one of the top threats to political and economic stability in the region.

In recent days, a former senator triggered a political earthquake in Colombia by claiming that part of Odebrecht’s bribes ended up in President Juan Manuel Santos’ campaign. Similar charges popped up in Panama against President Juan Carlos Varela, and have circulated for weeks around Brazilian President Michel Temer.

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