Colombia appoints new viceministers of Culture

Colombia's Minister of Culture, Paola Andrea Holguín Moreno, has formalized the appointment of two new viceministers through decrees 1153 and 1154 of 2026.

Aglaé Dinora Caraballo Mercado, a musician known as ‘La Reina del Porro’, has been named Viceminister of Heritage, Memory, and Cultural Governance. Originally from Montería, Caraballo has a career in traditional Caribbean music spanning over two decades. Her mandate includes overseeing policies for the safeguarding of the nation's material and immaterial heritage, with a specific goal of promoting the declaration of porro as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Ana María Abello Restrepo, a lawyer from Barranquilla, has been appointed Viceminister of Arts and Cultural and Creative Economy. Abello is noted for her background in law and her previous political involvement with the ‘Defensores de la Patria’ group.

These appointments align with the ‘cultural battle’ framework promoted by President Abelardo de la Espriella. Additionally, the Ministry of Labor announced new appointments, naming Juliana Morad Acero as Viceminister of Labor Relations and Inspection, and Elianne Forero Pérez as Viceminister of Employment and Pensions.