Just 76 days after being appointed Minister of the Interior, Rodrigo Lara is leaving the government of Abelardo de la Espriella. His departure was triggered a few hours after the General Budget of the Nation bill was rejected in Congress due to an error in its legislative procedure.
Lara’s departure was announced on Wednesday night, October 21, by President De la Espriella himself, who wrote on the social network X: “I thank Dr. Rodrigo Lara Restrepo for his service to Colombia.”
Immediately afterward, in the same message, the president announced that former inspector general and current Colombian ambassador to the OAS, Alejandro Ordoñez, would take over the political portfolio, one of the most important in the Executive Branch because of the work it must carry out in the Congress of the Republic.
“I welcome Dr. Alejandro Ordóñez Maldonado, who will assume the position of the new Minister of the Interior,” De la Espriella continued in his message. “His experience, character, and career will be fundamental in facing the great challenges of our nation.”
However, the head of state explained that while Ordóñez’s appointment is formalized, the duties of the Ministry of the Interior will be handled by Iván Cancino, Minister of Justice. “Our government continues working with determination, firmness, and commitment to the well-being of all Colombians,” the president concluded.
Lara’s departure coincides with criticism from some political sectors over his relationship with lawmakers and the setback suffered by the Executive Branch in the legislative process of the General Budget of the Nation bill.
The news also came amid debate in the joint First Committees on the bill for the submission of armed groups to justice, through which the national government is attempting to establish a framework for dealing with illegal armed groups and replace Petro’s failed policy of total peace.