Chrystian Colombo
Chrystian Gabriel Colombo | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1952 Zapala, Neuquén Province, Argentina |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, politician |
| Years active | 1985–2001 |
| Known for | Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers under President Fernando de la Rúa (2000–2001) |
| Spouse | Silvia Rivas |
Chrystian Gabriel Colombo (born in 1952) is an Argentine entrepreneur and political figure who held the position of Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers under President Fernando de la Rúa from 2000 until 2001. He stepped down together with De la Rúa in the aftermath of the December 2001 riots in Argentina.
Early life
Born in 1952 in Zapala, located in Neuquén Province, Colombo earned a licenciatura degree in economics from the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA).
Political career
During President Raúl Alfonsín's term in June 1985, Colombo was appointed as president of Banco Nacional de Desarrollo (BANADE), taking over from Mario Brodersohn. Subsequently, he moved into the private sector, where he worked with Grupo Pérez Companc, operated as a stockbroker at the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, served as vice president of Sociedad de la Bolsa Macro, and held a managerial role at Banco Río de la Plata (which later became Banco Santander Río).
After De la Rúa won the presidency in 1999, Colombo was appointed president of the national bank, Banco de la Nación Argentina. On 6 October 2000, he succeeded Rodolfo Terragno as Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers. During his tenure, he oversaw the appointment of Ricardo López Murphy as Minister of Economy following José Luis Machinea’s departure.
Colombo was subject to inquiries concerning alleged misappropriation of public resources transferred from Banco Nación to Banco Macro. In 2001, charges related to mismanagement during his leadership at Banco Nación were brought by the Anti-Corruption Bureau; additional accusations were submitted to the National Senate in 2002.
He maintained his role as cabinet chief until President De la Rúa resigned on 20 December 2001 and was notably the final official to exit the Casa Rosada amid the December unrest. With Senate provisional president Ramón Puerta unavailable, Colombo assumed responsibility for critical state security and administrative functions until order was restored on 21 December.
Personal life
Colombo is married to Silvia Rivas, who is a visual artist.