Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Luis Gilberto Murillo

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 11, 2026

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Luis Gilberto Murillo made an impact.

Luis Gilberto Murillo is a Colombian diplomat, mining engineer, and politician. He served as Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development (2016-2018) and Governor of Chocó, a department with a significant Afro-Colombian population. Notably, Murillo experienced hardship when he was kidnapped in 2000, leading him to seek refuge in the United States until his return to Colombia in 2011. His career highlights his commitment to public service, culminating in his nomination as the Colombian Ambassador to the United States in July 2022 by President-elect Gustavo Petro.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1993: Director General of CODECHOCO

In 1993, Murillo was promoted to the Office of Director General of the Corporation for Sustainable Development of the State of Chocó (CODECHOCO).

1995: Deputy Director of Planning of DAMA

In 1995, Murillo was appointed as the Deputy Director of Planning of the Department of Environmental Protection of Bogotá (DAMA).

1998: Elected Governor of Chocó

In 1998, Murillo was elected governor of Chocó.

January 1999: Stripped of Office

In January 1999, Murillo was stripped of his office as governor by a controversial court ruling.

2011: Second Election as Governor of Chocó

In 2011, Murillo won the election for governor of Chocó for the second time.

2014: Director of the Pacific Initiative

In 2014, after working for the re-election campaign of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Murillo was appointed as Director of the Pacific Initiative.

May 2016: Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development

In May 2016, Luis Gilberto Murillo Urrutia became the first Afro-Colombian to hold the position of Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

2016: Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development

In 2016, Murillo became the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development.

2017: Chaired Environmental Ministerial Forum

In 2017, Murillo chaired the Environmental Ministerial Forum of Latin America and the Caribbean, leading to an agreement on a regional environmental agenda.

2018: End of term as Minister of Environment

In 2018, Murillo's term as Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development ended.

January 2022: Presidential Candidate for Colombia Reborn Party

On 21 January 2022, Murillo opted to run for the presidency as a candidate for the Colombia Reborn party. He later accepted to be the alliance's nominee for vice president.