Carina Murcia, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, takes over the Ministry of ICT following Julián Molina's departure.

Following the departure of Julián Molina from the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the first departure from the government since the election of Carlos Camargo as a judge on the Constitutional Court, the decree appointing Yeimi Carina Murcia Yela as acting minister became known. The document, dated 0975 of 2025, also formalizes Molina's resignation.

Molina was asked to leave office after his party, the U Party, did not support María Patricia Balanta, the executive branch's candidate in the Senate election for the new Constitutional Court judge.

In addition to Molina, Antonio Sanguino (Labor) and Diana Marcela Morales Rojas (Commerce) were also asked to resign, as the parties they represent—Green Alliance and Liberal, respectively —would not support Balanta, who was defeated by 21 votes by Carlos Camargo, the opposition candidate.

These wouldn't be the only cabinet changes, as President Gustavo Petro is expected to decide this week whether other ministers will also be removed from office.

Molina's departure sparked an immediate reaction from the U party, which had been given the post as a bureaucratic representation since the beginning of this administration in exchange for its support for social reforms in Congress.

The group announced that the sponsors of the 2026 budget will not attend the meeting convened by President Petro to discuss the initiative, which faces an adverse climate in the Legislature due to a 26 trillion peso shortfall. This deficit would require a tax reform that, for now, also lacks much support in the National Capitol.

"The decision responds to criteria of legislative autonomy and the need to maintain a technical and pluralistic debate in Congress, without external constraints. The party reaffirms its commitment to rigorous budget analysis, in defense of citizen interests and fiscal sustainability," stated the group led by Clara Luz Roldán and Alexander Vega.

Murcia, born in Puerto Asís (Putumayo), is a social communications graduate from the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia. She holds a specialization in Government and Management from the Externado University and a master's degree in Human Rights from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. From 2023 to 2025, she served as Director of ICT Appropriation at the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.

This isn't the first time the deputy minister has assumed leadership of the ministry: she had already held that role temporarily before Molina's arrival. For now, there are no indications as to who might be appointed to the position permanently.

CAMILO A. CASTILLOPolitical EditorX: (@camiloandres894)