Causas y posibles soluciones de elefantes blancos en el departamento del Meta

Abstract

White elephants are construction or infrastructure Project that, despite considerable initial investment, end up being useless, underutilized, or even harmful to the community they were intended to serve. This phenomenon is common in contexts where corruption, lack of transparency, and poor public management are prevalent. The underlying causes of these white elephants can vary, ranging from political decisions driven by personal interests to the lack of proper feasibility assessment or deficiencies in project formulation. The consequences of these projects go beyond the waste of resources, negatively affecting the economy, the environment, and society’s trust in public institutions. This study analyzes the phenomenon of “white elephants” in the department of Meta, identifying their structural causes, effects, and possible solutions. Using a descriptive and analytical approach, the research addresses technical, economic, social, and environmental dimensions, combining three main data collection strategies: documentary review of contract files, administrative acts, supervision reports, and databases such as SECOP I and II, PACO, and SGR; semi-structured interviews with officials from the Government of Meta, representatives of oversight agencies, contractors, and citizen watchdogs; and analysis of journalistic records and public reports that documented milestones, issues, and public perceptions of the projects. This methodology enabled the development of a critical and contextualized analysis of the persistence of unfinished works in the region.