The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement clarifying its actions regarding the establishment of the Colombian Consulate in Tijuana, Mexico. Back in January 2026—while Yolanda Villavicencio Mapy was still serving as Foreign Minister—a consul was appointed for Tijuana, yet the diplomatic mission had not yet been established in the city.
The appointee is Maryory Ecineth Pabón Gavilán, who was designated on a provisional basis to the position of Minister-Counselor attached to the Colombian Consulate in Tijuana via Decree 0033, dated January 20, 2026.
In this regard, the Foreign Ministry—now led by Omar Bula Escobar—reported in its official statement that it had apprised the Attorney General’s Office and the Inspector General’s Office of the actions taken concerning the opening, establishment, and operational launch of the consulate in question. The aim is for oversight bodies to verify whether any irregularities occurred during its establishment and, if so, to determine individual criminal and disciplinary liability.
The Ministry noted that when administrative and contractual procedures began and the property for the diplomatic mission was selected, no budget allocation had yet been made for its opening.
In any event, the Ministry clarified that actions aimed at pursuing criminal and disciplinary investigations do not constitute a premature accusation against any individual. Competent authorities are responsible for conducting the relevant inquiries and determining whether liability exists.
“Given that public funds and various administrative components are involved, the current government deemed it necessary for oversight bodies to review the actions taken firsthand and to determine, independently, whether any of them warrant investigation,” the statement detailed.
