Odebrecht scandal

The Odebrecht scandal involves the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, which admitted to paying bribes to officials and politicians across Latin America to secure contracts and gain advantageous deals. This widespread corruption scheme, uncovered in 2016, revealed how funds from illicit activities influenced political decisions and infrastructure projects in multiple countries. The scandal exposed a network of illegal payments, leading to numerous arrests, political fallout, and ongoing efforts to combat corruption. It highlighted the deep-rooted challenges of transparency and accountability in business and government in the region.