Minister Campos' trip to Barranquilla is authorized and an acting minister is appointed

The Presidency of the Republic authorized the trip of the Minister of Public Security and the Minister of Governance and Police, Gerald Campos Valverde, to Barranquilla, Colombia, from September 21 to 23, 2026, and appointed Nelson Barquero Pérez as acting minister of both portfolios during his absence. The measure is detailed in Agreement No. 071-P, published in the Official Gazette La Gaceta No. 181 on Friday, September 25, 2026, with official reference IN202601128857.

The agreement is issued based on Article 139, paragraph 1) of the Political Constitution; Articles 26, paragraph a) and 47, paragraph 3) of the General Law of Public Administration, Law No. 6227 of May 2, 1978; and Article 7, final paragraph, together with numerals 31, 33, and 34 of the Travel and Transport Expense Regulations for Public Officials. The text was issued at the Presidency of the Republic, in San José, on September 17, 2026, and is signed by the President of the Republic, Laura Fernández Delgado.

According to the second recital, the trip has the authorization of the President of the Republic, and its objective is to accompany her in a working meeting where issues related to security and the direct fight against drug trafficking will be addressed.

The trip and its objective

• Destination: Barranquilla, Colombia.
• Dates: from September 21 to 23, 2026.
• Reason: to accompany the President of the Republic in a working meeting on security and the direct fight against drug trafficking.
• Authorization: the President of the Republic, according to the information provided by the Minister’s Office.

The agreement notes that Gerald Campos Valverde simultaneously serves as Minister of Public Security and Minister of Governance and Police, therefore his absence requires covering both leadership positions during the three days of the tour.

The officer in charge

• Name: Nelson Barquero Pérez, identity card number 2-0547-0150.
• Current position: Vice Minister of Regular Units.
• Designation: Acting Minister of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Governance and Police.
• Validity: from 16:00 hours on September 21 until 15:25 hours on September 23, 2026.

The appointment is formalized “in the absence of Mr. Gerald Campos Valverde” and covers exactly the same interval as the trip, so that there is no interruption in the chain of command of the two portfolios.

Expenses and accountability

The travel expenses will be covered by the Ministry of Public Security:

• Air tickets, charged to sub-item 1.05.03.
• Per diems abroad to cover lodging, food, transport, and other logistical aspects, charged to sub-item 1.05.04.

Additionally, in accordance with Circular LYD 3083-06-15C dated June 16, 2015, Gerald Campos Valverde undertakes to submit an executive report to his hierarchical superior within a period not exceeding eight calendar days from his return, describing the activities carried out, the results obtained, and the benefits achieved for both the institution and the country.

Agreement No. 071-P is effective from 16:00 hours on the 21st until 15:25 hours on the 23rd of September 2026, both dates of the same month.

The appointment ensures continuity of command in two sensitive portfolios—public security and governance and police—during the three days of the titular’s absence, while the appointment in Barranquilla reinforces the regional cooperation agenda against drug trafficking.

Source: La Gaceta, No. 181 of Friday, September 25, 2026, Executive Branch — Agreements, p. 6 (official reference: IN202601128857).