Luis Felipe Henao appointed as manager of Fondo Milagro following resignation of Jaime Andrés Uribe

President Abelardo de la Espriella announced on social media that Luis Felipe Henao has been appointed as the manager of Fondo Milagro. The appointment comes after the resignation of the previous manager, Jaime Andrés Uribe. According to the President, the decision to accept the resignation of Jaime Andrés Uribe was the right thing to do. President Abelardo de la Espriella stated that the priority for the new administration is to translate every peso into concrete results for earthquake victims.

Management transition and fund oversight

Luis Felipe Henao, who previously served as Minister of Housing during the administration of Juan Manuel Santos between 2013 and 2016, will serve in an ad honorem capacity. This means the new manager will lead the organization without receiving a salary. Luis Felipe Henao stated that he aims for transparency to help earthquake victims.

The transition follows a period of controversy regarding the management of Fondo Milagro. The previous administration under Jaime Andrés Uribe reported contractual processes totaling $7.440 million. During his tenure, Jaime Andrés Uribe missed three sessions of the Congress of the Republic. Financial scrutiny has also focused on the fund's payroll, which included 27 contracted personnel with a monthly cost of approximately $765 million. The former manager's personal monthly salary was $39.441.000 pesos.

Context of the earthquake relief efforts

Fondo Milagro was established as a mechanism to channel resources to families affected by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that occurred in Colombia on August 10, 2026. The natural disaster resulted in over 300 deaths and approximately 4,000 injuries. The fund manages these resources through a trust (fiducia) to facilitate urgent interventions. The total approved budget for these interventions is $624.656 million.

The reconstruction efforts are critical for the affected regions. While the previous administration reported significant contractual activity, officials are now focused on the execution of the approved budget to ensure aid reaches those in need. Luis Felipe Henao brings significant experience to the role, having previously served on the boards of Ecopetrol, Banco AV Villas, and EPM. It is also noted that Luis Felipe Henao is a graduate of the Universidad del Rosario.

Glossary

• Ecopetrol — Ecopetrol is the largest and primary petroleum company in Colombia. It is a state-owned industrial and commercial company that undertakes activities throughout the oil chain.
• EPM — EPM is a Colombian public utility company founded in Medellín. It is the second largest company in the country in terms of assets.
• fiducia — A trust used to manage resources to facilitate urgent interventions.