Business Politics

‘Fico’ Wins Medellin Mayoralty, Rendon Wins Antioquia Governorship; Petro, Quintero, Perez Trashed by Voters

Medellin Herald October 30, 2023

Enormously popular former Medellin Mayor Federico Gutierrez (“Fico,” right in photo, above) last night (October 28) recorded a smashing, runaway second-term victory with 73% of the vote, beating hugely unpopular Mayor Daniel Quintero’s hand-picked successor, Juan Carlos Upegui, who garnered an

Business Companies

Nutresa 3Q 2023 Net Income Falls 48% Year-on-Year

Medellin Herald October 28, 2023

Medellin-based multinational foods giant Grupo Nutresa announced October 27 that its third quarter (3Q) 2023 net income fell 48% year-on-year, to COP$114 billion (US$27.7 million), while nine-months 2023 net income dipped 18%, to COP$592.7 billion (US$144 million). Soaring finance costs hurt the bottom line, according to the company. For 3Q 2023, sales rose 2.7%, to […]

Business Companies

Tigo-UNE Nine-Months 2023 Net Loss Hits US$128 Million, but Outlook Improves

Medellin Herald October 26, 2023

Luxembourg-based cell-phone/telecom/internet multinational Millicom announced October 25 that its half-owned Tigo-UNE subsidiary in Colombia — the other half owned by Medellin-based public utility EPM – has posted a net loss of US$138 million for the first nine months of 2023 (January through September). (The Tigo-UNE joint venture with EPM also incorporates related

Business Politics

EPM’s Biggest Union Unveils Shocking Report on Mayor Quintero’s Corruption, Lies, Financial Destruction

Medellin Herald October 21, 2023

SINPRO – the biggest professional employees union of public utilities giant EPM – on October 20 publicly unveiled a stunning, 93-page report detailing immense financial, organizational and political damage to EPM and Medellin by outgoing Mayor Daniel Quintero. Quintero — who took office in January 2020 — suddenly resigned September 30 in order to dedicate […]

Business Companies

El Salvador Supermarket Giant Inks Takeover Deal for Grupo Éxito

Medellin Herald October 16, 2023

Medellin-based supermarket/dry-goods giant Grupo Éxito announced October 16 that its France-based majority shareholder Grupo Casino has inked a deal whereby El Salvador-based supermarket chain Grupo Calleja (“Super Selectos”) would become Grupo Éxito’s new owner. As part of the total US$1.17 billion deal, Grupo Calleja would acquire Casino’s current 34% stake in Grupo

Business Companies

EPM Awards Hidroituango Completion Contract to China’s Yellow River Ltd.

Medellin Herald October 11, 2023

EPM announced this morning (October 11) that it has finalized an estimated COP$1 trillion (US$236 million) contract with China-based Yellow River Ltd. (Colombia branch) and Colombia-based Schrader Camargo to complete the final-phase construction of the 2.4-gigawatt Hidroituango hydroelectric plant here in Antioquia. Those two companies – dubbed “CYS Consortium” – outbid

Business Companies

Tigo-Une/Millicom Capitalization Deal Avoids Bankruptcy

Medellin Herald October 5, 2023

Medellin-based Tigo-Une – Colombia’s third-largest cell-phone, internet and cable-TV network, half-owned by Medellin utilities giant EPM – announced late last night (October 4) that it finally reached a deal with its partner — Luxembourg-based Millicom — to capitalize Tigo-Une and thus avoid an October 11 bankruptcy deadline. Under the deal, EPM will put

Politics

Unpopular Medellin Mayor Daniel Quintero Quits Office

Medellin Herald October 1, 2023

For the first time in Medellin history, scandal-plagued Mayor Daniel Quintero on September 30 officially quit his office — three months before his term actually ends in December. Quintero – the most unpopular Mayor since Medellin began public polling 30 years ago, with barely 28% approval – is under investigation for various corruption schemes, now […]

Business Politics

Medellin’s Leading Civic-Business Group Denounces Mayor Quintero Corruption Scandal

Medellin Herald September 21, 2023

Medellin-based Todos Por Medellin – a non-partisan watchdog whose major backers include the Medellin Chamber of Commerce, ANDI (Colombia’s biggest industrial-commercial trade association), Proantioquia (business-civic promotion organization), labor unions and dozens of leading citizens– on September 21 unveiled a shocking report detailing what might be seen as the tip of

Business Companies

EPM Hidroituango Bid-Completion Analysis Favors Most-Expensive Option, Raises Suspicions

Medellin Herald September 11, 2023

Medellin-based electric power giant EPM on September 10 publicly revealed its internal analysis of several competing bids aiming for completion of the US$5 billion, 2.4-gigawatt Hidroituango hydroelectric project here in Antioquia. Ironically, EPM eliminated two bidders — Todini Costruzioni Generali S.P.A. and China Gezhouba Group Company Limited — who