After months of silence amid an escalating corporate and family dispute, Colombian entrepreneur and creative Nicolás Londoño has publicly shared his version of events surrounding the luxury fragrance brand Ilmin. In a detailed statement, he alleges that he became the target of a coordinated effort to strip him of the company he helped build, alienate him from his children, and damage his reputation through a series of legal accusations.
According to Londoño, his decision to remain silent was driven by a desire to protect his family and keep the separation from becoming a public spectacle. However, he says that his silence was ultimately interpreted as an admission of guilt.
“I didn’t want to turn our divorce, our company, or our children’s lives into social media content. I believed it could be resolved privately, but my silence was being interpreted as guilt,” Londoño stated.
Acknowledging Personal Mistakes While Rejecting Serious Allegations
Londoño begins his statement by recognizing that his relationship was far from perfect. He admits that both he and his former partner were unfaithful at different points and acknowledges that his intense focus on growing the business created emotional distance within the marriage.
At the same time, he firmly denies allegations of systematic domestic abuse or violence, insisting that his purpose is not to attack the mother of his children but to ensure that the truth is preserved for them.
The Battle Over Ilmin
At the center of the dispute is Ilmin, the luxury perfume brand that Londoño says was originally conceived and developed as an equal partnership.
He maintains that he was the original applicant and owner of the trademark rights in Colombia and internationally through Angel International. According to his account, he entrusted administrative and financial authority to his then-wife, believing that their marital relationship provided sufficient trust.
Londoño alleges that this confidence was later exploited through a corporate restructuring that ultimately left him without control of the business.
According to his statement:
- The original company, Ilmin SAS, was renamed Compañía de Perfumes de Medellín.
- A new company, Benalma SAS, later renamed Ilwin House SAS, was created and initially linked to Natalia Vélez’s brother, Santiago Vélez.
- In October 2024, the Ilmin trademark was allegedly transferred to the new entity in exchange for shares.
- While the new company reportedly continues to generate substantial revenue, Londoño claims the original company—where he still retains ownership interest—was left with accounting records showing assets of only approximately 100 Colombian pesos.
- He also questions the management of the proceeds from the sale of the couple’s Llano Grande property in September 2025, calling for a full accounting of how those funds were handled.
Criminal Allegations Under Dispute
Londoño also addresses the criminal investigations involving accusations of money laundering, drug trafficking, and domestic violence.
He emphasizes two key points in his defense:
- None of the investigations has resulted in a criminal conviction against him.
- He further argues that the money laundering and drug trafficking complaints were filed before the couple formally separated, at a time when Natalia Vélez was pregnant and, according to him, no divorce proceedings had yet begun.
The Custody Battle
One of the most emotional sections of Londoño’s statement concerns his relationship with his children.
He alleges that he has repeatedly faced obstacles in exercising his court-ordered visitation rights, including blocked communication with the children and the removal of mobile devices he had provided to them.
According to Londoño, more than 200 violations of the visitation schedule have been documented.
He points to Resolution 18 of 2025 as a significant legal development, stating that family authorities sanctioned Natalia Vélez for repeated failures to comply with court-ordered visitation arrangements.
Londoño also refers to a physical confrontation involving his former partner’s father after returning from an international trip. He says the incident was captured on video and has already been submitted as evidence in the corresponding legal proceedings.
Rebuilding in Panama
Despite the ongoing legal dispute, Londoño says he has begun rebuilding his professional career.
According to his statement, he relocated to Panama, partnered with new investors, established a new production facility, and successfully launched a new fragrance brand called Matai.
He describes the project as a fresh start after losing operational control of the original Ilmin business.
A Direct Public Challenge
Toward the end of his statement, Londoño addresses journalist Daniel Escobar, host of a well-known podcast, whom he says he has known for nearly two decades.
He publicly challenges Escobar to confirm how the company was originally created and who was involved from the very beginning, arguing that those who witnessed Ilmin’s early development know the full story.
A Legal Battle Far From Over
With this public statement, Nicolás Londoño presents his version of a dispute that extends far beyond a divorce, encompassing corporate governance, family law, and criminal proceedings.
As the litigation continues, the case remains under judicial review. While Londoño argues that he was the victim of corporate betrayal, parental alienation, and unfounded legal accusations, the allegations against him remain subject to ongoing legal processes.
Ultimately, it will be the courts—not public opinion—that determine the legal responsibilities and final outcome of one of Colombia’s most closely watched business and family disputes.
