# Government appointments in Argentina and Colombia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/government-appointments-in-argentina-and-colombia
> Updated: 2026-08-19T17:34:45.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 2.

Argentina and Colombia have implemented several new leadership appointments across various state agencies and regulatory bodies.

In early August 2026, Argentina appointed Dr. Pedro Nicolás Di Nezio as director of the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) for a four-year term. Concurrently, reports indicated that Andrés Herkrath Sanclemente was expected to lead Colombia’s Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales (Ideam) to oversee climate monitoring and carbon market initiatives.

By mid-August, both nations formalized additional administrative roles. Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Economy Minister Luis Caputo appointed officials to lead the State Property Administration Agency (AABE), the Water and Sanitation Regulatory Entity (ERAS), and the National Airport System Regulatory Body (ORSNA). In Colombia, President Abelardo de la Espriella issued decrees naming Didier Fabián Blanco Rodríguez as director general of the National Protection Unit (UNP) and María Rocío Cortés Vargas as head of the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC).

On August 19, Colombia expanded these leadership changes with several new appointments. Ricardo Valencia was named director of the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), and Juan Camilo Ostos Romero was appointed to lead the National Institute of Roads (Invías). Additionally, Diana Patricia Bravo Vélez will head the Special Assets Society (SAE), Joaquín José Méndez Llach will lead the Superintendency of Notary and Registry, and Ricardo Torres Castro has assumed the role of Director General of the National Apprenticeship Service (SENA). Castro’s appointment follows an earthquake, with a mandate focused on community recovery and vocational training.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-19: Cuba approves new decree-laws to expand private sector role

Cuba has approved new decree-laws to expand the private sector, regulate MSMEs, and allow private participation in state bidding as part of a broader economic reform package.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-and-colombia-formalize-new-government-appointments

### 2026-08-05: Argentina and Colombia name new heads of their national weather services

Argentina named Dr. Pedro Nicolás Di Nezio as SMN director, while Colombia is expected to appoint Andrés Herkrath to lead Ideam, its environmental agency.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-and-colombia-name-new-heads-of-their-national-weather-services

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Cite as: Government appointments in Argentina and Colombia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/government-appointments-in-argentina-and-colombia