Colombia Moves ProColombia Overseas Offices into Embassies to Cut Costs
Colombia’s new ProColombia director Samuel Bluman Levy will integrate the trade agency’s overseas operations into diplomatic missions, a restructuring aimed at reducing costs while sustaining export growth amid declining foreign direct investment.
Samuel Bluman Levy was sworn in as the new director of ProColombia on 21 August 2026 by President Abelardo De La Espriella. His immediate mandate includes restructuring the agency by moving its standalone overseas offices into Colombian embassies and consulates.
Operational Restructuring
This operational shift is designed to reduce the size and cost of ProColombia’s international footprint. The government intends to deploy selling ambassadors to secure export sales at the lowest possible cost. However, the restructuring has been announced but not yet formalized by any official decree or resolution.
The efficiency drive arrives at a critical juncture for Colombia’s trade balance. In 2025, non-mining goods exports totaled US$26,388.9 million. This category accounted for 52.6 percent of all goods sold globally by the country.
Broadening this export basket is essential as foreign capital inflows face headwinds. Central bank data shows foreign direct investment fell 15 percent in 2024 to US$14,269 million. Conversely, tourism defied the broader economic trend with an 8.5 percent increase to 6,696,835 non-resident visitors.
Bluman brings over 40 years of experience in textiles, garment manufacturing, foreign trade, precision logistics, and business financing. Hailing from Antioquia, the country’s historic textile hub, his background aligns with the agency’s core mission to boost international sales.
His appointment resolves a leadership vacuum that persisted for several weeks. An earlier nominee, Jaime Uribe, was announced by Trade Minister Mauricio Gómez Amín in July 2026. Uribe could not be sworn in because he did not meet the academic requirements for the position.
Bluman replaces Carmen Cecilia Caballero Villa, who led the agency for 44 months. Her departure coincided with the government transition, though no official explanation was published. Market participants will now watch to see if the consolidated diplomatic model can maintain Colombia’s global investment appeal on a tighter budget.
