After almost 10 hours of deliberations, the shake-up in Ecopetrol’s board of directors has just been confirmed. As anticipated by EL TIEMPO, Ángela María Robledo, head of the board, and Tatiana Roa, another of the Petro government’s key figures, resigned early.
The big surprise is that Hildebrando Vélez did not take over, as had been agreed in a morning meeting. The new president of the board is former minister Luis Felipe Henao, representative of the pension funds and one of those opposed to Ricardo Roa remaining in office after the criminal charges against him.
The shake-up on the board comes less than two weeks before the Petro government expires and Abelardo de la Espriella’s takes over, who announced that the state-owned company is one of his priorities.
Other resignations
Indeed, Henao and Ricardo Rodríguez Yee, the independents, placed on record the legal and reputational risks of Roa continuing to lead the company.
In fact, although it was decided that, by law, Roa must rejoin on July 27, he will only have 3 days to render accounts.
On August 20, Roa is summoned to a trial hearing for influence peddling within a process that stemmed from an investigation by EL TIEMPO’s Investigative Unit into the purchase of his luxurious apartment 901. The intermediary was former police officer Juan Guillermo Mancera, whom, according to witnesses, attempts were made to benefit with millionaire contracts in the state-owned company.
And he faces another charge for violating campaign spending limits for the Petro President 2022-2026 campaign.
Bayron and Sepúlveda leave
EL TIEMPO asked last week if, in addition, the resignations of Bayron Triana Arias, Executive Vice President of Energy for Ecopetrol’s Transition; and Victoria Sepúlveda, of Human Talent, were true. At that time, they indicated no, but their resignations were confirmed during the board meeting.
On March 28, EL TIEMPO revealed accusations against Triana for alleged conflict of interest with gas companies interested in projects being carried out at Ecopetrol. He denied those accusations and also that he was leaving the group.
In this regard, Ecopetrol reported: “Bayron Arley Triana Arias submitted his voluntary resignation from the position, which was accepted as of July 31, 2026. Ernesto Alfonso Gómez Cabarcas, current General Manager of the Refinery, will be in charge of this Vice Presidency from August 1, 2026, until the permanent appointment to the position is made.”
And added: “Victoria Irene Sepúlveda Ballesteros, who had been serving as Corporate Vice President of Organizational Talent, will exercise her functions until August 31, 2026. Juan Pablo Amaya Ibáñez, current Manager of Organizational Talent for Hydrocarbons, will be in charge of this Vice Presidency from September 1, 2026, until the permanent appointment to the position is made.”
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