Vice President-elect José Manuel Restrepo has requested that the Colombian government stop making provisional appointments at the Foreign Ministry during the current administration's transition [1].
This request comes as the incoming administration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella prepares to take power from outgoing President Gustavo Petro. The move is intended to prevent the current government from filling positions with temporary staff just before the handover of power.
In a letter sent June 27, 2026 [2], Restrepo said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should pause these personnel changes. The letter specifically addresses the transition period, a phase often marked by tension between outgoing and incoming leadership in Colombia.
"Solicito abstenerse de hacer nuevos nombramientos provisionales mientras se posesiona la administración de De La Espriella," Restrepo said [3].
Beyond the staffing requests, the communication included eight alerts regarding the current state of the country [1]. These warnings serve as a formal notification from the government-elect to the Petro administration about perceived critical issues that require attention or stabilization before the change in leadership.
Restrepo's intervention highlights the friction inherent in the "empalme," or the official handover process. By seeking to freeze provisional appointments, the incoming administration aims to ensure it has the authority to appoint its own staff to key diplomatic and administrative roles without facing a bureaucracy filled with last-minute appointees from the previous government [1], [2].
The request emphasizes a desire for a structured transition to avoid administrative instability within the Foreign Ministry as the country shifts from the Petro administration to the leadership of De La Espriella.
“"Solicito abstenerse de hacer nuevos nombramientos provisionales mientras se posesiona la administración de De La Espriella."”
This request signals a proactive effort by the incoming De La Espriella administration to secure control over the state apparatus and prevent 'institutional nesting,' where outgoing governments appoint loyalists to provisional roles to protect their legacy or influence. The inclusion of eight specific alerts suggests the new administration is entering office with a critical view of the current state of national affairs, potentially setting the stage for a sharp policy pivot upon inauguration.
