Changes began in President Gustavo Petro’s cabinet, and one of the most anticipated announcements was the resignation of the ICT minister, Mauricio Lizcanowho announced the news through his X account.
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“I have submitted my resignation as ICT Minister. I close with gratitude and pride a stage that allowed me to fulfill Colombia. Thanks to President Gustavo Petro for the opportunity to serve, to the ministry team and to the people for the expressions of affection“Lizcano expressed in his official publication.
During his almost two and a half years at the head of the ministry, Lizcano focused on the deployment of 5G technology, leading the spectrum auction in 2023, in addition to promoting projects related to artificial intelligence.
“We traveled through Colombia, brought and developed 5G technology for the country, installed 2,375 antennas and delivered more than 100,000 computers to students from small educational institutions. We worked tirelessly to make Colombia a Digital Power, connecting more than three million people, forming more than a million Colombians in digital skills and bringing technology and innovation to the most remote regions“Lizcano highlighted.
It should be noted that, before submitting his resignation, Lizcano was supporting the reorganization process of the WOM operator, a chapter that concluded satisfactorily with the arrival of a new investorSUR Holdings.
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Stan Chudnovsky, from the SUR Holdings group (right), shakes the hand of MinTIC, Mauricio Lizcano.
According to the balance of MinTICpresented last December, the portfolio invested during 2024, close to $4.7 trillion. In addition, they indicated that they managed to achieve an execution of 88%.
“This investment was distributed across the different pillars, including Artificial Intelligence. Faced with this technology, the designs for the two large development centers in Usme and Zipaquirá were established, with an investment of $132,000 million. In addition, we began the execution of the 60 PotencIA centers, small universities focused on democratizing access to AI, in all regions of the country. Likewise, the country now has the first faculty of this technology, located at the University of Caldas in Manizales, which will benefit 5,000 people with undergraduate, graduate and technologist programs, among others.the portfolio specified in its balance sheet.
Regarding connectivity, The ministry specified that they managed to strengthen alliances with 13 governorates from various regionsall in order to deploy 2,782 km of fiber optics that seek to connect 107,260 homes in 222 municipalities, with an investment of $265,000 million.
“We left a very important legacy in Colombia, which we hope to continue consolidating in 2025 and 2026. We have three million Colombians connected and we are reaching one million trained in digital skills. We are innovating from the regions to strengthen them, and we are leaders in Artificial Intelligence in the region. We close a great year in our purpose of being a Digital Power“Lizcano commented.
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About his management
Samuel Hoyos, president of Asomóvil, recognized the work carried out by the outgoing minister, as he carried out the 5G auction in Colombia, advanced the renewal of the radio spectrum for the coming years.
“It is no secret to anyone that this sector has been facing great challenges and that the sustainability of companies today is at risk due to different factors. I recognize the work that has been carried out by the Ministry. The person appointed must continue working for the sector, maintaining a policy based on evidence and making technical decisions for the benefit of users, but always seeking to guarantee the sustainability of the industry, the attraction of investments and of course stability. in the rules of the gameHoyos stated.
For Geusseppe González, head of Latin America at Access PartnershipLizcano’s departure from the ICT Ministry “marks a new change in one of the most important ministries for the development of the country.”
“There would be at least three ICT ministers of this government, which always generates natural administrative inefficiencies in the connection and execution processes.””, he stated.
Regarding Lizcano’s management, González highlighted that, during his time at the MinTIC, he made several bets such as investment in transport connectivity (through Internexa), the development of AI (PotencIA centers), the Connectivity Boards ( flagship project of the Petro government), among others.
“Technically, public policies should be measured by their results, not by their intentions, and in that sense I believe that a reasonable amount of time is needed to know the tangible results of these bets.””he added.
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