Colombia's Vice President‑elect Restrepo freezes diplomatic appointments during transition

Vice President‑elect José Manuel Restrepo, who is co‑leading the hand‑over between President Gustavo Petro’s administration and incoming President Abelardo de la Espriella, wrote to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting that all provisional diplomatic and consular appointments be suspended until 7 August, the day the new government takes office. He asked for a detailed report on pending nominations to embassies such as Germany, Spain, Japan, Indonesia, Poland, Austria, Malaysia and Ghana, and on the legal basis for those designations.

Restrepo also urged the director of the National Protection Unit (UNP) to halt any new hires during the transition, citing concerns that late‑stage contracts could be used for patronage and affect the national budget. The transition team, represented by Restrepo and Finance Minister Germán Ávila, stressed the need for transparency and warned against last‑minute appointments that could limit the incoming administration’s ability to govern.