Not even three months have passed since his appointment and many of his colleagues “can’t stand” Oliver Enrique Pardo, director of macroeconomic policy at the Ministry of Finance. This is a powerful position in that portfolio since it is, according to the formal definition, “one who prepares studies, diagnoses, analyzes and assessments that allow the permanent monitoring of the general economic, monetary, credit and currency situation of the country.”
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EL COLOMBIANO spoke to several ministry and industry sources, who agreed that in several meetings his behavior was “rude, apathetic or hostile” and that his profile was “excessively ideological,” which annoyed higher-ups Treasury officials Minister Bonilla. Privately, according to two sources who spoke to this newspaper in exchange for not revealing his identity, the portfolio chief said he “regrets having appointed” Pardo, but that removing him at this time “would not be a message of stability.” .” for the country.”
Specifically, the alarm of some officials is raised because they are ”worried that Pardo could hinder discussions on the conclusion of the pension reform”, a project carried out by the Government and which is dear to President Gustavo Petro. This took the form of consultation sessions with various state bodies in which Pardo made comments that aroused so much annoyance that one of the participants stood up and told his Treasury colleagues “to resolve their differences first, as confirmed from this.” newspaper with sources present at the meeting on 3 September, even if this was repeated in other tables where officials from different bodies intervened.
“He argued with everyone. It has a passive-aggressive tone because it makes you feel disgusting. He holds his face, he turns red, he starts going crazy, he breathes fast and goes crazy, out of control, he loses his temper,” an official who witnessed this behavior in other meetings told EL COLOMBIANO. When a meeting takes place “normally” in the corridors of the Treasury it seems strange because “we already expect the worst”, says another official. Pardo also argued harshly with senior officials such as Jairo Bautista, director of the National Public Budget and José Roberto Acosta, National Director of Public Credit and the Treasury. national.
Who is Pardo?
He is an economist from the National University with a master’s degree and a doctorate from the London School of Economics, who before coming to the Ministry of Finance was the director of the Fiscal Observatory of the Javerian University. His curriculum, as these media learned, was recommended by Daniel Osorio, who held the position of director of Macroeconomic Policy, and the technical deputy minister, Juanita Villaveces.
“If you ask me what weighs more on Oliver: his doctorate or his excessively ideological profile, I will tell you the second,” an official from the financial sector, who assures that he has ”an unbeatable relationship” with the minister, told this newspaper . Bonilla but they heard complaints about Pardo.
In addition to the problems caused by his attitude, this newspaper has learned that complaints have been received from Treasury officials about the way in which Pardo talks with risk rating agencies, private companies that evaluate payment capacity and financial strength of the institutions and the financial instruments they offer – since with some of them they would presumably complain to the government. “That we will lose another level of investment and that is not a given. I think he lacks a lot of knowledge about the state and seems not to handle the current pressure of his position well,” adds an official from one of the rating agencies.
Pardo is close to the Minister of Commerce, Luis Carlos Reyes, who also directed the Javeriana Tax Observatory, and later joined Dian. In that position he had several clashes with Minister Ricardo Bonilla, since this entity is part of the Treasury, but Reyes publicly stated that his boss was President Petro and not the minister.
“The mother who voted for Petro”
Indeed, as director of Economic Affairs of Asobancaria and associate professor of U. Javeriana in 2018, Oliver Pardo published harsh messages against the current president Petro on the social network X (formerly Twitter). “I take this umpteenth opportunity to once again mention the mother to all those who voted for Petro or Duque in the first round” and “To all of #HumanColombia who is grateful for my vote for Petro in the second round, I just want to tell you one thing: fuck you”, are two of Pardo’s publications against Petro. And in others he refers to the newspaper El Tiempo as “a pasquín”: “When I worked in the DNP I exercised much more power than Sarmiento Angulo (sic) himself.” And the list goes on. Those close to Bonilla ask: “Why did he accept the Treasury job if he thought the same of President Petro?”
The truth is that it is not the first time that at the Ministry of Finance, under this government, there have been reports of deep differences between officials or accusations of alleged harassment in the workplace. In February this year, Semana magazine revealed that Flor Esther Salazar, director of Economic Regulation of Social Security, was accused of human resources for alleged workplace harassment and disrespect towards other officials. “At this time (the Treasury) is not a place to be recommended, the actions of the people are not technical and the management that this management is giving is disrespect and mistreatment towards public employees and contractors,” it reads in a letter from a former official. .
In the same year, in July, Minister Bonilla himself revealed in an interview with Noticias Caracol – in the context of the UNGRD scandal that hit him – that “José Roberto Acosta is sometimes a difficult person, and creates difficulties in meetings. “I chose to ask him not to go to certain meetings so I could have more peace of mind.” He added that “the problem is that Acosta is aggressive at times. “It attacks people and that makes it difficult to hold meetings.”
EL COLOMBIANO sought out Oliver Pardo to find out his version and sent him a long questionnaire which had not been answered at the close of this edition. Minister Bonilla also did not answer our questions. But his press office assures that there are no named or anonymous internal investigations against Pardo. In the meantime, Bonilla, whose conciliatory character stands out, will have to continue to put out the fires not only in the country, but in his own wallet.
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What are the potential consequences of Oliver Pardo’s leadership style on Colombia’s pension reform discussions?
Title: Navigating Turmoil: An Interview with an Expert on the Implications of Oliver Pardo’s Role at Colombia’s Ministry of Finance
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good day! Today, we’re diving into a situation that’s stirring quite a buzz in Colombia’s economic landscape. Joining us is Dr. Laura Rincón, an economist and political analyst who has been closely following the recent developments at the Ministry of Finance, particularly concerning the controversial figure of Oliver Enrique Pardo. Thank you for being here, Dr. Rincón.
Dr. Laura Rincón: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such a pressing issue.
Interviewer: Oliver Pardo has only been in his role as director of macroeconomic policy for a few months, yet we’re hearing significant discontent among his peers. What do you think is driving this discontent?
Dr. Rincón: Well, it seems that Pardo’s personality and his excessively ideological stance are major contributors. Sources within the Ministry describe him as rude and hostile during meetings, which can create a toxic work environment. His approach may lead to significant tensions that hinder collaboration, especially on critical issues like the pension reform, which is vital for the government.
Interviewer: The pension reform is indeed a key project for President Petro. With Pardo reportedly arguing with other officials and even creating discomfort in discussions, how might this affect the reform’s progress?
Dr. Rincón: If Pardo continues to alienate his colleagues, it could severely disrupt the negotiation processes necessary for the reform. Given that pension reform requires consensus across different sectors, Pardo’s confrontational style raises concerns that it may delay or derail the discussions. This can have cascading effects on public trust and the government’s overall stability.
Interviewer: It sounds like there are substantive risks involved. He has a strong academic background, yet it seems that some believe his ideological views outweigh his expertise. How does this impact his effectiveness in the role?
Dr. Rincón: His impressive credentials, including his doctorate from the London School of Economics, indeed present him as a qualified individual. However, effective governance in such a position requires not just expertise, but also the ability to work collaboratively and manage relationships. If his ideological rigidity overshadows his analytical capabilities, it could undermine his effectiveness and lead to poor outcomes for the country.
Interviewer: There are also indications of friction between Pardo and established officials. How significant is this for the Ministry of Finance’s functioning as an institution?
Dr. Rincón: Institutional stability is paramount in the Ministry of Finance. Persistent conflicts can disrupt workflow and reduce morale, which in turn affects decision-making processes. When senior officials like Jairo Bautista and José Roberto Acosta are at odds with Pardo, it can create silos within the ministry. If left unchecked, these internal rifts can lead to a dysfunctional environment and could severely impact policy implementation.
Interviewer: Plus, there’s the matter of Pardo’s past comments about President Petro. How do you think this complicates his role in the ministry?
Dr. Rincón: Pardo’s history of antagonistic remarks about President Petro raises eyebrows. Accepting a role in the administration after such statements may appear insincere, leading some to question his loyalty and commitment. This could create a lack of trust, both from within the government and from the public. It’s crucial for officials to align with their leadership if they wish to effectively serve their roles.
Interviewer: With all these challenges, do you think there’s a path forward for Oliver Pardo, or might discussions for his removal arise soon?
Dr. Rincón: It’s a precarious situation. If the minister, Ricardo Bonilla, feels that Pardo’s presence is destabilizing the ministry, he may have to consider removing him to restore functionality. However, as some sources note, a sudden removal might send a troubling signal regarding stability at a time when the country needs assurance in its fiscal strategy. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Pardo can adapt or if the Ministry will seek a change.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Rincón, for your insightful analysis. This situation will undoubtedly continue to unfold, and we’ll be watching closely for any developments.
Dr. Rincón: Thank you! It’s been great to discuss these important issues.
Interviewer: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. We’ll keep you updated on any further news regarding Colombia’s economic landscape and the developments at the Ministry of Finance. Until next time!