Colombian President Gustavo Petro is set to name Omar Andres Camacho as the country’s new minister of mines and energy following the resignation of Irene Velez.
According to a 24 July Reuters report, the information is according to a source within the president’s office, but no official confirmation has been made to date.
Camacho will inherit Petro’s mission to remove Colombia from oil production and exports, a major source of income for the country, and acrimony between the administration and the industry.
Neither the presidency’s press team nor Camacho immediately responded to the news service’s requests for comment about the appointment; however, it was widely reported by Colombian media outlets.
Velez, according to Reuters, had opted to step down after two state agencies opened investigations against her, connected to allegations that she committed a crime of influence peddling. She has said she will respond to the authorities as needed.
Petro has also eyed support for traditional, artisan miners over large-scale producers, particularly in the gold industry, and has previously attacked coal alongside oil as a poison, the report said. It added that, according to a resume for a previous post, available on the ministry’s website, Camacho is studying for a doctorate in engineering.
Source: Reuters