Colombia's Inspectorate Probes Ex-Minister Palma Over Air-e Energy Firm's Woes

Colombia's Inspector General's Office has launched a disciplinary investigation into former Minister of Mines and Energy Edwin Palma Vega, former Superintendent of Public Utilities Elmer Felipe Durán, and two former special agents of the intervened company Air-e. The probe aims to uncover alleged irregularities and omissions that may have worsened the financial and operational state of the energy provider for Atlántico, Magdalena, and La Guajira.

The investigation stems from a preliminary report by the Delegate for Environmental, Mining-Energy, and Agrarian Affairs. This report highlighted significant issues during the periods of state intervention. A particularly concerning finding is the dramatic increase in Air-e's financial obligations to energy generation companies. The debt ballooned from 833 billion pesos in February 2025 to 2.23 trillion pesos by December of the same year, an increase of over 1.3 trillion pesos under state administration.

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The debt went from 833 billion pesos in February 2025 to 2.23 trillion pesos in December of the same year, an increase of more than 1.3 trillion pesos during the intervention process.

Furthermore, the Inspectorate noted a decline in key indicators crucial for the company's stability. Technical and non-technical energy losses rose from 29.37% to 31.20%. The company's net worth also shifted from positive to negative figures while under state management. These findings have prompted the formal investigation to determine if the involved officials committed disciplinary offenses.

The scrutiny on Elmer Felipe Durán focuses on his direction and supervision of the intervention process. Records suggest potential omissions, including the lack of a structured business recovery plan for Air-e. The Inspectorate also seeks to clarify issues regarding the management of the growing debt to energy generators and the adequacy of information provided to oversight bodies. The office believes these aspects are critical to understanding the continued financial deterioration despite state control.

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The Delegate for Environmental, Mining-Energy, and Agrarian Affairs, warned of failures during the different periods of state intervention of the company.