Colombian President Removes Interior Minister After Budget Collapse in Congress

President Abelardo de la Espriella removed Rodrigo Lara Restrepo from the Ministry of the Interior after the national budget collapsed in Congress over a procedural flaw. The Senate and Chamber approved different versions of the text, specifically regarding article 65, and the versions were never reconciled before the October 20 deadline. The government will now approve the budget by decree.

Lara had led the political portfolio for less than three months, marking his tenure as one of the shortest in the current administration. His departure represents the second cabinet adjustment in fewer than 100 days since the president took office.

“In practical terms, nothing happened. The budget is there and it remains.”

The budget failure stemmed from discrepancies between the Senate and Chamber plenaries, causing more than a dozen modifications to the 2027 budget project to fall through. The government was forced to accept the provisions established in the first debate of economic committees.

Lara downplayed the error, stating that practically nothing had happened because the budget remained in place. He said his role was to guarantee votes and that the parliamentary blocs had been present.

The president announced the dismissal following a cabinet council at the Casa de Nariño. He thanked Lara for his service to Colombia via a message on X.

Alejandro Ordóñez Maldonado, the former prosecutor, will assume the role of the new interior minister. Ordóñez had been serving as ambassador to the Organization of American States.

The president cited Ordóñez's experience, character, and trajectory as fundamental for facing the country's major challenges.