Paola Holguín clarifies academic credentials amid controversy

Colombian Minister of Culture Paola Holguín has issued a public clarification regarding her academic credentials following allegations of inconsistencies raised by Senator Jennifer Pedraza.

Holguín stated that while she completed the full curriculum and successfully defended her thesis, titled ‘Hacia una definición estratégica del terrorismo’, she did not formally complete the protocol for obtaining the Master’s degree in Political Studies from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB). To provide transparency, the Minister released institutional documentation from UPB confirming she attended the program between 1999 and 2001 and received formal approval from the jury on July 31, 2015.

The controversy arose after Senator Pedraza pointed out that Holguín presented herself as a Master in Political Studies on social media, despite the degree not appearing in official public records. Holguín responded by asserting that her official documentation correctly identifies her as a graduate of the coursework (egresada) rather than a degree holder, denying any intention to mislead the public.