One of the mega-projects that the outgoing president Gustavo Petro will not be able to inaugurate is that of the sophisticated complex in the National Administrative Center (CAN) of Bogotá, where the so-called ‘Colombian pentagon’ is planned to operate.
The so-called ‘Fortress Project’ -more than 240,000 m² where the new offices of the Ministry of Defense, the Military Forces, the Police and other offices in the defense sector were going to be-, was going to be inaugurated at the end of July. But it stopped dead on February 22 due to differences within the contract signed with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) –the one in charge of the project–, which initially amounted to 1.59 billion pesos.
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Is there already demand?
The ‘Fortress Project’. Photo:Private file
The two most recent pieces of information on the matter are that the CCC was working on a million-dollar lawsuit against Colombia, for allegedly failing to comply with the agreed terms; and that the Defense portfolio and other offices were evaluating dispatching from the luxurious buildings on 100th and 7th, next to the so-called North Canton of the Army.
EL TIEMPO officially consulted the Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez, about these two issues and about possible responsibilities within his portfolio due to the paralysis of the work. In addition to answering these questions, General (r.) Sánchez pointed out that ‘Fortaleza’ It is a strategic initiative for national security and defense, and revealed that a new Conpes is advancing in accordance with legal, contractual and transparency criteria.
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Have you already been notified of any lawsuit or legal action by the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) or any representative for having stopped the ‘Fortaleza Project’?
The construction agreement of the ‘Fortaleza Project’. Photo:Private file
To date, we have not been notified of any lawsuits or legal actions related to this matter. The Agreement itself contemplates mechanisms for dialogue, consultations and direct negotiations between the parties to resolve any differences amicably. If this is not achieved, the dispute settlement mechanism provided for in the Agreement would be activated. Currently, and after the completion of the Agreement 09 of 2022 entered into with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), the process is in the liquidation stage, in accordance with established procedures and with strict adherence to the legal framework, transparency and protection of the interests of the Colombian State.
Has any representative already been delegated to attend to this case?
To date, no representative has been hired or appointed for the ‘Fortaleza Project’ since the dispute resolution mechanism has not been activated.
CCC is a great strategic ally for the Ministry of Defense and for the country. With CCC we maintain excellent relationships in different projects, and any differences that arise, as in any agreement or contract, will be resolved through the stipulated channels.
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The then Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, laid the first brick of the project. Photo:Ministry of Defense
What are the arguments for suspending the project and requesting the return of the money already transferred?
Although an agreement is terminated, the Fortaleza Project continues. What happened was the unilateral termination of the G2G Agreement signed between the Ministry of National Defense and CCC, through Resolution No. 000684 of February 13, 2026, due to substantial differences between the parties regarding the scope and development of the project.
The Fortaleza Project is a strategic initiative for national security and defense, and will advance with a new Conpes and in accordance with legal, contractual and transparency criteria. The Project solves a strategic need of the country so that the Public Force and the defense sector in general have a greater capacity for articulation, synergy, effectiveness and survival to fulfill their constitutional mission.
Regarding the resources drawn, the request for return obeys the provisions of article 4 of Resolution No. 000684 of February 13, 2026, as a legal consequence derived from the unilateral termination of the agreement.
Has any type of legal action been instituted against the CCC or any official of the portfolio due to irregularities detected in the process that led to the suspension of the project?
At this time, no irregularities have been identified that warrant disciplinary, fiscal or criminal actions.
The control bodies have been duly and permanently informed of the status of the Agreement, as well as the actions and decisions adopted. The Ministry of Defense has not activated the dispute mechanism contemplated in the Agreement.
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Building facade on K7 with 100 street. PHOTO MAURICIO MORENO EL TIEMPO CEET Photo:MAURICIO MORENO THE TIME
As Conpes moves forward, where will the offices that were demolished operate and where will the financial resources come from to support this transfer?
The offices have been operating in the ‘fortress temporary solution’ since 2020, as was contemplated from the project planning. That is to say, for now no additional transfer is contemplated, and likewise, the maintenance of the current offices is contemplated within the operating budget until the necessary and strategic Fortaleza project is developed.
Is it true that the leasing or acquisition of offices is being contemplated in urban projects such as the one on 100th Street and Carrera 7th?
We continue working in the current offices. However, different courses of action are being analyzed regarding the readjustment of the Fortaleza project schedule. When a decision is made, it will be announced in accordance with institutional procedures.
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