Luis Enrique Berrizbeitia, former CAF executive vice president, dies

Luis Enrique Berrizbeitia, the former executive vice president of the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), has passed away. Berrizbeitia served in his leadership role at the multilateral organization for over two decades, from 1996 to 2018.

A Wharton School graduate, Berrizbeitia held several high-profile international positions, including serving on the Board of Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) representing Spain, Mexico, Venezuela, and five Central American nations. He also served as Venezuela's governor to OPEC and as the Director of Electric Energy for the Ministry of Energy and Mines.

Beyond his economic and public management career, Berrizbeitia was instrumental in promoting regional integration through sports and culture. In 2009, he proposed and launched the CAF Marathon in Caracas, an event that grew into a major athletic tradition in the capital. He also promoted the creation of the CAF Gallery to support Latin American and Caribbean art.