SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Roger Carrillo Ocampo has officially resigned as President of Coljuegos, the gambling authority of Colombia.
Carrillo Ocampo was among senior civil service officials to reject President Gustavo Petro’s plans to overhaul Colombia’s public healthcare system, which remains stuck in Congress.
A Conservative Party member and experienced administrator, Carrillo Ocampo was appointed by the Ministry of Finance to serve as President of Coljuegos last February, becoming Colombian gambling’s third governor since 2020.
Colombian media report that the government’s office will soon announce Marco Emilio Hincapié, Secretary General of Colombia Humana, as the new President of Coljuegos.
President Petro and La Humana Colombia Party have been accused of ‘political manoeuvring’ by opposition members to ensure that sweeping healthcare plans are approved by Congress.
Since taking office in August, Petro is reported to have caused ‘deliberate chaos’ within Colombia’s civil service ranks by demanding the resignation of officials who belong to different political parties.
Resignations thus far have included two housing vice ministers from the Liberal Party, two transport deputy ministers from the Conservative Party, and two vice ministers from the Liberal Union Party.
La Humana Party’s proposed Healthcare Plan aims to transition to a government-led centralized system dictating how citizens can seek treatment, a conflict that has sparked intense controversy and opposition to reforms.
Despite Petro’s political maneuvering, the health care reform faces significant opposition in Congress, with only nine sure votes in support and potentially 12 votes against.
The ongoing political infighting and the debate over health reform continue to disrupt Colombia’s political landscape. The outcome of this political tug-of-war is yet to be seen as the debate continues in Congress
