Ten years of Lava Jato: the growing shadow of corruption in Latin America

Ten years after the start of Operation Car Wash, the panorama of corruption in Latin America shows a concerning increase, according to recent information published by The Economist magazine. This investigation, which began in Brazil in 2014 and spread throughout the region, aimed to uncover a web of corruption involving companies, politicians, and government officials. For years, the implicated companies used bribes to secure inflated construction contracts, in a scheme that generated millions in profits while diverting public resources. However, what was once hailed as a milestone in the fight against corruption now appears to have taken an unexpected turn. Recent decisions by Judge Toffoli, questioning the validity of leniency agreements signed by companies during Operation Car Wash, indicate a resurgence of corruption in the region. Countries like Brazil and Peru have fallen in corruption perception indices, and the erosion of trust in anti-corruption institutions is evident. In Brazil, the downfall of prominent political figures, such as the impeachment of former president Dilma Rousseff and the convictions of former president Lula da Silva, were linked to the findings of Operation Car Wash. However, the recent controversy surrounding the impartiality of the prosecutors and judges involved has raised doubts about the integrity of the process. The backlash against anti-corruption efforts is manifested in political decisions seeking to undermine the institutions conducting these investigations, as seen in the case of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who is attempting to eliminate the state agency responsible for combating irregularities. The Car Wash case has had a significant economic impact on the region, with companies going bankrupt and thousands of workers losing their jobs due to the halt in public works. However, corruption, far from being eradicated, seems to be resurging strongly. The disillusionment of the population in the face of these setbacks in the fight against corruption is evident, and the perception that dark political interests are behind these decisions has strengthened. It is crucial to restore trust in institutions and reaffirm the commitment to transparency and accountability to prevent an even greater setback in the region. Corruption cannot be tolerated or justified, and it is the responsibility of everyone to fight against this scourge that has caused so much harm to Latin America.