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Ecopetrol elects Carlos Suárez as Board President amid corruption probe
Carlos Augusto Suárez Rojas has been unanimously elected as the new president of the Board of Directors of Ecopetrol. The appointment follows a major restructuring of the board, where six of the nine members were replaced during an Extraordinary Assembly of Shareholders on September 15, 2026. Suárez, a lawyer and former strategic advisor to President Abelardo de la Espriella, succeeds Luis Felipe Henao, who will remain on the board as a representative for minority shareholders.
The leadership change occurs as Ecopetrol faces a significant corporate governance crisis. The company has launched a forensic audit, led by Ricardo Rodríguez Yee, to investigate 32 identified cases of alleged irregularities. These investigations involve potential misconduct regarding contracts, appointments, and business dealings, including solar projects and gas businesses. Officials have warned that if these irregularities are confirmed, the resulting financial loss could reach trillions of pesos, potentially marking one of the largest detriments in the country's history.
In addition to the board changes, Alfonso Camilo Barco Muñoz has assumed the role of acting president of the company following the departure of Juan Carlos Hurtado. The new leadership team aims to restore institutional trust, combat corruption, and stabilize the company's standing in international markets.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · Carlos Augusto Suárez Rojas · Carlos Suárez · Claudia Lafaurie · Claudia Margarita Lafaurie Taboada · Ecopetrol · Luis Felipe Henao · Luis Felipe Henao Cardona
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Extraordinary Assembly of Shareholders approved a new Board of Directors with six new members and three returning members. canaltro.com · elnorte.com.co · mundour.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Board of Directors unanimously elected Carlos Augusto Suárez Rojas as the new president of the Board. elnorte.com.co · mundour.com · www.minuto30.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Alfonso Camilo Barco Muñoz assumed the role of acting president of Ecopetrol following the departure of Juan Carlos Hurtado. canaltro.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Luis Felipe Henao identified 32 cases requiring investigation regarding corporate governance issues. www.diariodelsur.com.co · extra.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The potential financial loss from the alleged irregularities could reach trillions of pesos. www.diariodelsur.com.co · extra.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ecopetrol is conducting a forensic audit to investigate alleged irregularities in contracts and appointments. www.diariodelsur.com.co · extra.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com