Based in: Panama City, Panama

Manuel leads CoST’s work across Latin America, helping governments, industry and civil society use infrastructure data to deliver better projects. He supports members from Mexico to Colombia and has helped establish six CoST programmes, develop seven transparency portals and undertake independent probity audits of major projects, including Bogotá’s Metro Line 2. He leads CoST’s relationships with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and British embassies across the region.

Previously, Manuel led transparency and open government reforms at Panama’s National Procurement Office and helped develop the country’s first Anti-Corruption Risk Map with UNODC. A lawyer certified by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), he specialises in public contracting and construction contracts.

Outside work, you’ll find him in the water, out in nature, or sharing a good joke…

Ask me about: transparent audits of major infrastructure projects | FIDIC contracts and integrity | public procurement reform in Latin America

Latest publications:

Does Diplomacy Still Matter in a Fragmented World?
Bogotá y Cali: Construyendo un nuevo camino hacia la transparencia en la infraestructura pública en Colombia
Del asfalto a la IA: el futuro de la infraestructura pública en América Latina