Francisco Estupiñán Heredia
Francisco de Paula Estupiñán Heredia | |
|---|---|
| Born | Guateque, Boyacá, Colombia |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, Business administrator, Politician |
| Years active | 1999–2016 |
| Known for | Minister of Agriculture of Colombia (June–September 2013) |
Francisco de Paula Estupiñán Heredia, born in Guateque, Boyacá, is a Colombian economist and business administrator affiliated with the Conservative Party. He held the position of Minister of Agriculture between June and September 2013. In July 2014, the Superintendence of Companies appointed him as the liquidator for La Polar Colombia. Subsequently, from November 2014 until June 2016, he presided over the Mercantile Exchange of Colombia (BMC).
He earned his degree in Business Administration from Externado University and completed a specialization in Economics at Universidad de los Andes.
Estupiñán's career spans significant roles in both public administration and the private sector. His appointments have included general director of the National Budget, director of the Institute of Industrial Development (IFI-Concession Salinas), Deputy Minister of Finance from December 1999 to July 2000, and President of Banco Granahorrar between 2000 and 2003. Before assuming ministerial duties, he was at the helm of Banco Agrario.
On 27 May 2013, President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón designated Estupiñán as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, taking over from Juan Camilo Restrepo Salazar. He officially took office on 2 June 2013. During his administration, he confronted the National Agrarian Stoppage, a major protest movement initiated by rural farmers in response to an agricultural crisis. After two weeks into this strike, Estupiñán tendered his resignation and left his post on 11 September 2013; his successor was Rubén Darío Lizarralde.
In July 2014, he was assigned by the Superintendence of Companies to oversee the liquidation process of La Polar Colombia. While serving as president of the Mercantile Exchange from November 2014 to June 2016, the Financial Superintendency examined potential conflicts arising from his liquidation responsibilities at La Polar. On 14 December 2015, it was determined that the judicial liquidation had been conducted with professionalism and orderliness.