Restrepo asks UNP to halt appointments before government transition

The vice president-elect, José Manuel Restrepo, has formally asked the National Protection Unit (UNP) to suspend all new appointments until the new government takes office on August 7. Restrepo's request targets a decree (0670 of 2026) that he argues allows the outgoing administration to lock in security decisions that should belong to the incoming team.

What happened

Restrepo sent a letter to UNP director Augusto Rodríguez, with copies to the Procurador General and the Interior Minister, asking for a halt to any hiring or staffing processes under Decree 0670 of 2026. He also requested detailed information on ongoing selection and contracting procedures. "The protection of the President of the Republic and his government team cannot be defined in the last days of an outgoing administration," Restrepo posted on X Source: La Silla Vacía. The request echoes a similar one made to the Chancellery the day before, as Restrepo accused the current government of trying to "amarrado al Estado" (tie up the state) Source: La Silla Vacía.

The reaction

President Gustavo Petro reiterated he will govern until August 6, writing, "We return a house with more life than we received it" Source: La Silla Vacía. Meanwhile, the transition team, dubbed "Empalme Anticorrupción," is being led by Restrepo on the incoming side and Finance Minister Germán Ávila for the outgoing administration Source: La Silla Vacía.

Key points

• The request applies to any appointments under Decree 0670 of 2026, which governs protection schemes Source: La República.
• Restrepo emphasized transparency: "What we ask is that these decisions not be made in the last days of the outgoing government and that the process be developed with total transparency" .