Colombia Energy Minister Edwin Palma Calls Suspension of Power Transition Irresponsible Amid El Niño

Minister of Mines and Energy Edwin Palma warned that the government’s decision to suspend the hand‑over process with the outgoing administration is “irresponsible” given the country’s fragile electricity sector as the El Niño climate phenomenon approaches. He noted that the new administration has not yet appointed a minister for the portfolio, preventing the transfer of more than 50 structural measures prepared by the outgoing government to safeguard energy supplies. Palma argued that without the technical information and plans, the El Niño could catch the incoming government unprepared, jeopardising vulnerable populations.

The minister also defended his team’s efforts since August 2022 to correct what he described as a “fear narrative” propagated by previous administrations that predicted blackouts that did not materialise.