former director of the Institute for the Training and Use of Human Resources (Ifarhu), Bernardo Meneses, is under investigation for alleged embezzlement, abuse of power, and misappropriation of funds. The current director of Ifarhu, Jaime Díaz, stated at a press conference that the institution is in bankruptcy, putting at risk about 200,000 beneficiaries of the scholarship and economic assistance program.
The critical financial situation of Ifarhu has led to numerous students from different educational levels not receiving benefits on time and being unable to count on the corresponding payments this year. The previous administration granted scholarships and economic aid without first verifying Ifarhu's financial capacity, resulting in this crisis.
Among the beneficiaries of these programs are former officials and relatives of deputies from the previous administration. The anti-corruption public prosecutor's office has conducted an inspection at the Ifarhu headquarters following a complaint about possible irregularities in the administration of economic assistance between January and June 2024 filed by the institution's legal department.
Ifarhu has begun a plan to recover the funds granted as economic assistance to individuals who are able to repay them. It has been revealed that the General Secretariat issued certifications without legal backing, compromising the institution without prior contracts. The institution has an overdraft in its accounts three times greater than the allocated budget and accumulates administrative debts exceeding 178 million dollars.
The operational debt exceeds 36 million dollars, and 34 million dollars are owed to businesses for the previous PASE-U program, as well as 2 million dollars in rent to suppliers. The investigation continues while efforts are made to clarify and rectify the economic crisis in which Ifarhu is immersed.
