politics
April 25, 2026
Why Petro insists on naming Quintero as Superintendent of Health despite his problems and lack of experience?
The controversial and questioned former mayor Daniel Quintero lands in the Superintendency of Health with four months left in the Government. His arrival is now firm with a decree signed this Friday by President Gustavo Petro and Minister Guillermo Jaramillo.
TL;DR
- Daniel Quintero, former mayor of Medellín, has been appointed as the Superintendent of Health.
- His appointment comes with only four months left in the current government.
- The decision has faced strong criticism from experts, guilds, and political sectors due to Quintero's past management and ongoing investigations against his former officials.
- Luis Peláez, deputy of Antioquia, announced plans to file a lawsuit against the appointment.
- Quintero replaces Bernardo Armando Camacho and takes over a superintendency marked by instability and pressure.
- The health system is facing critical challenges, including intervened EPS and financial fatigue.
- Carlos Carrillo, director of UNGRD, called the appointment a "huge blunder" and stated Quintero is a "thug who robbed Medellín."
- Congresswoman Jennifer Pedraza questioned Quintero's technical competence, calling the appointment an "affront to patients."
- Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez accused Quintero of intending to "finish robbing" the health system.
- Antioquia Governor Andrés Julián Rendón predicted Quintero would use the position to "lash out" at Antioquian institutions.