History of Luis Gilberto Murillo in Timeline

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

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.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

January 1967: Luis Gilberto Murillo Born

In January 1967, Luis Gilberto Murillo Urrutia was born. He later became a Colombian diplomat, mining engineer, and politician.

1990: Earned Degrees in Mining Engineering

In 1990, Murillo earned his bachelor's degree in mining engineering and a master's degree in engineering science with a concentration in open-pit mining from Russian State Geological Prospecting University. He also received a Certificate as Instructor of Russian Language.

1991: New Colombian Constitution

In 1991, the new Colombian Constitution was introduced, which influenced the democratic optimism during the time when Murillo was elected governor.

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).

1994: Chocó Executive of the Year

In 1994, Murillo was awarded the honor as Chocó Executive of the Year for the second consecutive year.

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.

2000: Kidnapped and Relocated to the United States

In 2000, Murillo was kidnapped and, after being released some hours later, relocated to the United States with his family, where he worked at the Lutheran World Relief.

2000: Murillo Kidnapped

In 2000, Murillo was kidnapped, and after his release, he moved to the United States.

2011: Murillo Returns to Colombia

In 2011, Murillo returned to Colombia after living in the United States.

2011: Second Election as Governor of Chocó

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

2013: Cleared of Disciplinary Sanction

In 2013, Luis Murillo was cleared of any disciplinary sanction by the office of the Colombian general Inspector, Alejandro Ordoñez Maldonado.

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.