Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro will appoint Edwin Palma as the new energy minister following a cabinet reshuffle. This move is part of a broader change where nine ministers have been replaced, including the previous energy minister. Palma will focus on shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy, amidst internal cabinet dissent related to Petro’s recent appointments.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro is set to appoint Edwin Palma, a union leader and former vice-minister of labor, as the new energy minister as part of a cabinet overhaul. This decision comes after Petro requested all ministers to resign earlier in the month following a contentious cabinet meeting where some officials voiced their disapproval of his recent appointments.
This cabinet reshuffle involves the replacement of several key ministers, including the interior and environmental ministers, and the resignation of the previous energy minister, Andres Camacho. Palma has a background in the oil sector, having led the major union USO and served on the board of the state-owned energy company Ecopetrol.
As the new energy minister, Palma is tasked with advancing Colombia’s strategy to shift from fossil fuels like oil and coal to renewable energy sources. This aligns with Petro’s policy stance, although it faces several challenges. In related news, the National Hydrocarbons Agency has revealed that international firms are interested in developing 69 offshore areas in Colombia during the country’s first offshore wind energy auction.
Reactions from the cabinet have been tumultuous, with former environment minister Susana Muhamad and others resigning in protest of Petro’s choice of Armando Benedetti as a senior adviser. Benedetti, who has faced allegations of violence against women and influence peddling—claims he denies—has been officially appointed as the incoming interior minister, reaffirming Petro’s support for him. Benedetti was previously Petro’s ambassador to Venezuela and has had a controversial tenure within the government.
President Gustavo Petro is initiating a significant cabinet reshuffle, appointing Edwin Palma to lead the energy sector during a notable transition toward renewable energy. The changes come amid internal dissent against recent appointments, notably involving Armando Benedetti, who remains a contentious figure in Petro’s administration. The government’s commitment to renewable energy is underscored by the interest in offshore wind development.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
