Manel Grau allegedly linked to Ecopetrol appointment pressures in leaked audio

Authorities have received a 43-minute audio recording that allegedly captures Manel Grau, a figure close to the government, discussing political quotas and pressure regarding appointments at Ecopetrol. The recording, which dates back approximately 18 months, involves the acting director of the state-owned oil company, Juan Carlos Hurtado, and a contractor identified as ‘Víctor’.

In the conversation, a person with a Spanish accent is heard discussing the installation of a specific vice president and attempts to strip that individual of their competencies. The audio also contains requests for Hurtado to assist in the permanent appointment of certain officials, with the individual identified as Grau stating that ‘getting people together is the key to the development of Ecopetrol’.

The recording further mentions Julián Caicedo, the partner of former Ecopetrol president Ricardo Roa, suggesting there would be no issue with him participating in available business opportunities. Additionally, the audio references an entrepreneur known as ‘Bachi’ who allegedly pressured the company for vice-presidential appointments to secure contracts, alongside insinuations that high-ranking officials may have paid to secure their positions.