Diana Morales has been appointed Colombia’s new Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism by President Gustavo Petro. Her appointment ends nearly three months of interim leadership following the resignation of Carlos Reyes in March. Morales is an economist and political scientist who previously served as secretary of a parliamentary commission in the House of Representatives.
Diana Morales is Colombia’s new Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism
One month after her resume was published on the platform for applicants to high-level positions, the Colombian government issued the decree officially appointing Diana Morales as the new Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism.
Her appointment—seen by some as a potential concession to the Liberal Party—comes at a pivotal moment for President Gustavo Petro’s administration, as the signing of the decree to call a popular referendum draws near.
Morales is a political scientist with a specialization in economics and a member of the Liberal Party. She holds additional specializations in State, Public Policy and Development, and in Constitutional Law, as well as a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Development Studies with an emphasis on Security, Peace, and Development from the prestigious Universidad de los Andes.
Her professional background includes roles as a consultant and advisor in law firms. She has also served as Director of Inter-Institutional Management at the Unit for Victims, advisor to the Directorate of the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), and advisor to the Office of the Minister of Information and Communications Technologies.
A late appointment on the eve of the popular referendum decree
Former Minister of Trade Carlos Reyes submitted his resignation on March 7, triggering an interim period during which the ministry was provisionally led by Cielo Rusinque.
This transitional phase lasted nearly three months, ending with the appointment of Diana Morales, who had already been mentioned in presidential circles earlier this week as the likely successor.
Morales becomes the third Minister of Trade under President Gustavo Petro, following Germán Umaña and Carlos Reyes—both of whom held the position for less than a year.
Her appointment comes just days before President Petro is expected to issue the decree calling for a popular referendum, which was previously rejected by Congress.
The departure of Luis Carlos Reyes from the Ministry of Trade
The previous minister stepped down shortly after the first televised cabinet meeting in March.
“President Gustavo Petro has accepted my resignation. Thank you, Mr. President, for your trust over these two and a half years. I wish you the greatest success as you complete the implementation of your democratic mandate,” wrote the former minister in his resignation letter.
Carlos Reyes, an economist and historian, gained popularity on social media as “Mr. Taxes” for his ability to clearly explain economic and tax issues—particularly during his time as Director of the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN).
Following his tenure at DIAN, President Petro appointed Reyes as Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism in June 2024, replacing Germán Umaña.
Reyes publicly denounced receiving requests from all political sectors to handpick individuals for positions in DIAN’s regional offices during his leadership of this important department.
Related: Colombia Appoints New Minister of Justice, Ex-Attorney General Eduardo Montealegre.