Millicom's Subsidiary Tigo Guatemala Pays Over $118M to Resolve Bribery Investigation
In November, Comunicaciones Celulares, doing business as Tigo Guatemala, paid over $118M to resolve an investigation by the Justice Department into a long-running scheme to bribe government officials in Guatemala. Tigo Guatemala is a wholly owned subsidiary of Millicom. Tigo Guatemala entered into a two-year deferred prosecution agreement in connection with a criminal information filed in the Southern District of Florida charging the company with one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. According to court documents, between 2012 and 2018, Tigo Guatemala engaged in a widespread and systematic bribery scheme orchestrated by its then-Guatemalan shareholder and other then-senior personnel. The scheme featured monthly bribe payments, usually paid in cash, to numerous Guatemalan members of Congress or members of their security teams, in exchange for, among other things, their support for legislation that benefited Tigo Guatemala. Some of the cash that Tigo Guatemala used to pay bribes were the laundered proceeds of narcotrafficking. As part of the DPA, Tigo Guatemala agreed to pay a $60M criminal penalty and $58.2M in administrative forfeiture. Pursuant to the DPA, Tigo Guatemala and its corporate parent, Millicom, agreed, among other things, to continue cooperating with the Criminal Division's Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida in any ongoing or future criminal investigation arising during the term of the DPA. TIGO Guatemala and Millicom also agreed to enhance TIGO Guatemala's compliance program and to periodically report to the department on remediation and implementation of compliance measures throughout the term of the DPA. The criminal penalty reflects a 50% reduction from the bottom of the applicable guidelines range, and the term of the DPA is for a period of two years.
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Millicom Successfully Acquires Remaining Stake in UNE
- Acquisition Success: Millicom successfully bid for EPM's remaining shares in UNE at COP 418,741 per share, totaling approximately COP 2.1 trillion (about USD 571 million), marking nearly 100% ownership in UNE.
- Closing Timeline: The transaction is expected to close on January 29, 2026, in accordance with auction rules, further simplifying Millicom's ownership structure in Colombia.
- Operational Integration: This acquisition will enable Millicom to streamline its operations in Colombia and accelerate its strategic integration plans, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Market Impact: The acquisition not only strengthens Millicom's position in the Latin American telecommunications market but also expands its range of digital services and products, likely driving further growth in the region.
Millicom International Cellular SA (TIGO) Shows Strong Momentum: Is It a Good Investment?
Momentum Investing Overview: Momentum investing involves buying stocks that are trending upwards, with the expectation that they will continue to rise. The Zacks Momentum Style Score helps identify stocks with strong momentum characteristics.
Millicom International Cellular SA (TIGO): TIGO currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B and a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong potential for performance based on recent price trends and earnings estimate revisions.
Performance Metrics: TIGO's shares have increased 4.67% over the past quarter and 113.11% over the last year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which has seen much lower gains in the same periods.
Earnings Estimates and Trading Volume: Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates for TIGO, along with a solid average trading volume of 756,143 shares, suggest a bullish outlook for the stock, making it a strong candidate for investors seeking momentum picks.
TIGO Purchases Telefónica Ecuador for $380 Million
Acquisition Details: Millicom International Cellular S.A. (TIGO) has acquired Telefónica’s telecommunications operations in Ecuador for $380 million, enhancing its presence in South America.
Market Potential: Ecuador's stable, dollarized economy and youthful population present significant opportunities for Millicom to expand digital connectivity and services.
Leadership and Mission: CEO Marcelo Benitez highlighted that the acquisition strengthens Millicom's leadership in Latin America and aligns with its mission to promote digital inclusion and economic progress.
Regional Operations: With this acquisition, Millicom now operates in 11 countries, following its previous purchase of Telefónica Uruguay.
TIGO to pay $118 million to resolve bribery probe
Settlement Agreement: TIGO Guatemala has agreed to pay over $118 million to settle a foreign bribery investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, following a deferred prosecution agreement announced in November 2025.
Bribery Scheme Details: The investigation revealed that from 2012 to 2018, TIGO Guatemala engaged in systematic bribery, making monthly cash payments to government officials in exchange for legislative support, with some bribes funded through laundered narcotrafficking proceeds.
Financial Penalties: As part of the settlement, TIGO Guatemala will pay a $60 million criminal penalty and $58.2 million in administrative forfeiture.
Compliance Measures: TIGO and its parent company, Millicom International Cellular, S.A., have committed to enhancing compliance programs, terminating involved personnel, and implementing extensive remedial measures to prevent future violations.
Significant Options Trading on Monday: RBLX, TIGO, FLR
Millicom International Cellular Options Activity: Millicom International Cellular SA (TIGO) experienced significant options trading with 4,000 contracts, particularly for the $55 strike call option expiring on April 17, 2026, which accounted for 3,532 contracts.
Fluor Corp Options Activity: Fluor Corp. (FLR) saw a high options trading volume of 16,080 contracts, with notable activity in the $47.50 strike call option expiring on January 16, 2026, totaling 14,155 contracts.
Trading Volume Context: The options trading volumes for both TIGO and FLR represented approximately 46.1% and 45.7% of their respective average daily trading volumes over the past month.
Further Information: For additional details on available expirations for RBLX, TIGO, or FLR options, StockOptionsChannel.com can be visited.
Communication Stocks Aim for a Strong Finish in 2025: An Analysis of 3 Charts.
Strong Performance: The communication services sector has shown consistent strength in 2025, ranking among the top three sectors in the S&P 500.
Performance Metrics: This sector has excelled in one-month, six-month, and year-to-date performance metrics, indicating robust growth and stability.
Millicom Successfully Acquires Remaining Stake in UNE
- Acquisition Success: Millicom successfully bid for EPM's remaining shares in UNE at COP 418,741 per share, totaling approximately COP 2.1 trillion (about USD 571 million), marking nearly 100% ownership in UNE.
- Closing Timeline: The transaction is expected to close on January 29, 2026, in accordance with auction rules, further simplifying Millicom's ownership structure in Colombia.
- Operational Integration: This acquisition will enable Millicom to streamline its operations in Colombia and accelerate its strategic integration plans, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Market Impact: The acquisition not only strengthens Millicom's position in the Latin American telecommunications market but also expands its range of digital services and products, likely driving further growth in the region.
Millicom International Cellular SA (TIGO) Shows Strong Momentum: Is It a Good Investment?
Momentum Investing Overview: Momentum investing involves buying stocks that are trending upwards, with the expectation that they will continue to rise. The Zacks Momentum Style Score helps identify stocks with strong momentum characteristics.
Millicom International Cellular SA (TIGO): TIGO currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B and a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong potential for performance based on recent price trends and earnings estimate revisions.
Performance Metrics: TIGO's shares have increased 4.67% over the past quarter and 113.11% over the last year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which has seen much lower gains in the same periods.
Earnings Estimates and Trading Volume: Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates for TIGO, along with a solid average trading volume of 756,143 shares, suggest a bullish outlook for the stock, making it a strong candidate for investors seeking momentum picks.
TIGO Purchases Telefónica Ecuador for $380 Million
Acquisition Details: Millicom International Cellular S.A. (TIGO) has acquired Telefónica’s telecommunications operations in Ecuador for $380 million, enhancing its presence in South America.
Market Potential: Ecuador's stable, dollarized economy and youthful population present significant opportunities for Millicom to expand digital connectivity and services.
Leadership and Mission: CEO Marcelo Benitez highlighted that the acquisition strengthens Millicom's leadership in Latin America and aligns with its mission to promote digital inclusion and economic progress.
Regional Operations: With this acquisition, Millicom now operates in 11 countries, following its previous purchase of Telefónica Uruguay.
TIGO to pay $118 million to resolve bribery probe
Settlement Agreement: TIGO Guatemala has agreed to pay over $118 million to settle a foreign bribery investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, following a deferred prosecution agreement announced in November 2025.
Bribery Scheme Details: The investigation revealed that from 2012 to 2018, TIGO Guatemala engaged in systematic bribery, making monthly cash payments to government officials in exchange for legislative support, with some bribes funded through laundered narcotrafficking proceeds.
Financial Penalties: As part of the settlement, TIGO Guatemala will pay a $60 million criminal penalty and $58.2 million in administrative forfeiture.
Compliance Measures: TIGO and its parent company, Millicom International Cellular, S.A., have committed to enhancing compliance programs, terminating involved personnel, and implementing extensive remedial measures to prevent future violations.
Significant Options Trading on Monday: RBLX, TIGO, FLR
Millicom International Cellular Options Activity: Millicom International Cellular SA (TIGO) experienced significant options trading with 4,000 contracts, particularly for the $55 strike call option expiring on April 17, 2026, which accounted for 3,532 contracts.
Fluor Corp Options Activity: Fluor Corp. (FLR) saw a high options trading volume of 16,080 contracts, with notable activity in the $47.50 strike call option expiring on January 16, 2026, totaling 14,155 contracts.
Trading Volume Context: The options trading volumes for both TIGO and FLR represented approximately 46.1% and 45.7% of their respective average daily trading volumes over the past month.
Further Information: For additional details on available expirations for RBLX, TIGO, or FLR options, StockOptionsChannel.com can be visited.
Communication Stocks Aim for a Strong Finish in 2025: An Analysis of 3 Charts.
Strong Performance: The communication services sector has shown consistent strength in 2025, ranking among the top three sectors in the S&P 500.
Performance Metrics: This sector has excelled in one-month, six-month, and year-to-date performance metrics, indicating robust growth and stability.
