ARC Caldas was one of two Antioquia-class destroyers built for the Colombian Navy during the 1930s.

Originally ordered for the Portuguese Navy, the two ships were purchased by Colombia while still under construction.

The turbines, rated at 33,000 shaft horsepower (25,000 kW), were intended to give a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph).

The destroyers carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of 5,400 nautical miles (10,000 km; 6,200 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).

Two quadruple banks of 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes were carried, while two depth charge throwers and 12 depth charges constituted the ships' anti-submarine armament.