The Office of the Attorney General of Colombia has opened preliminary proceedings against Andrés Arismendi, Product Tactical Manager at Data Tactical Management (DTM). These proceedings point to Arismendi as the alleged mastermind behind the company’s illicit activities, suggesting he may have orchestrated the corruption scandal that has shaken the National Police and other security institutions. The situation is further aggravated by revelations of a possible front-man scheme, the cancellation of multimillion-peso contracts, and the resignation of General William René Salamanca.
Andrés Arismendi, known for his presence at security and defense events, has become the new focal point of these judicial proceedings. According to sources close to the Attorney General’s Office, Arismendi not only had knowledge of the irregularities but also personally directed the execution of questioned contracts and influence peddling within DTM. “Arismendi was the real power behind the scenes, pulling the strings from backstage,” an anonymous source with access to the investigation stated.
DTM representative Andrés Arismendi had previously reported that the high-technology “solutions team” acquired by the District of Barranquilla is the same equipment used by the DEA and other state agencies, underscoring the sophistication of the tools employed by the company. However, this advanced technology is now overshadowed by corruption allegations.
Judicial proceedings also reveal that Arismendi was involved in DTM’s commercial representation, interacting with government and private entities, which would have given him the opportunity to influence strategic decisions and lucrative contracts. “His technical and operational role placed him in a key position to facilitate illicit activities,” the source added.
The situation becomes even more complex given that DTM has been under scrutiny for alleged irregularities in the management of multimillion-peso contracts. CEO Andrés Vanegas Fernández has been photographed at compromising events and mentioned in judicial testimonies, prompting an active investigation by the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office. However, new revelations suggest that Arismendi may have been pulling the strings from behind the curtain.
In addition, a possible front-man scheme has been uncovered within DTM, in which the CEO’s wife, María de los Ángeles Rangel, appears as the sole shareholder and legal representative. This suggests a corporate structure designed to conceal the true nature of the operations and shield the real beneficiaries of the alleged irregularities. “The use of front men is a common tactic in corruption cases to evade legal responsibility,” a legal source explained.
The cancellation of multimillion-peso contracts and the resignation of General William René Salamanca add further fuel to the fire. The questioned contract worth 11.4 billion pesos, which was allegedly steered toward DTM, has been canceled by the National Police, generating financial and operational turmoil. The resignation of General Salamanca, who served as Director of the National Police, occurred amid these proceedings, suggesting possible involvement in the irregularities.
Andrés Arismendi, who has maintained a discreet profile despite his presence at public events and international forums, now faces the possibility of being formally charged. Authorities are gathering additional evidence and are expected to issue an official statement in the coming weeks. “Arismendi could face charges of bribery, influence peddling, and criminal conspiracy,” another source close to the case commented.