On Saturday 3 October 2026, Colombia fire director Germán Miranda lost his post, 26 days after he was sworn in, following a request from President Abelardo de la Espriella and confirmation by Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara. The government hasn’t detailed the allegations behind the decision. Lara cited signs of an alleged attempt to keep evidence from reaching the Fiscalía, the Attorney General’s Office that brings criminal cases.
Who Ordered the Removal
De la Espriella announced on X that he had learned of facts “of the utmost gravity.” He said “the mere suspicion of irregular conduct” was enough to demand an official’s exit and added that “there will be no leniency” toward conduct that compromises transparency. Lara confirmed the removal minutes later.
Lara said Miranda had been “declared insubsistente on the spot,” according to Infobae. The declaration cancels a discretionary appointment and doesn’t require a disciplinary ruling first. The reports didn’t say what evidence Lara was referring to, and officials hadn’t explained the basis for the decision in further detail by Saturday afternoon.
Recordings and Allegations
El Tiempo, Semana and La FM published excerpts of recordings in which Miranda allegedly discussed a prosecution involving Bernardo Morales, the Envigado fire commander near Medellín. Infobae, citing El Tiempo, reported that Miranda allegedly sought money in exchange for steps before prosecutors. La FM reported that the excerpts alone don’t prove obstruction.
The reports available by Saturday afternoon hadn’t authenticated the recordings. Miranda hadn’t responded publicly in the coverage reviewed. The Fiscalía’s role is to bring criminal cases, but it was unclear whether it would open an inquiry into Miranda’s removal on the grounds Lara cited.
Audit Case and Directorate
Infobae, La Opinión and Diario La Libertad also reported an audit case at the Contraloría, the Comptroller General’s Office. The alleged loss was initially put at COP 115 million, or about US$35,000, using a rate of 3,312 pesos per dollar at the 2 October close. Diario La Libertad said the case concerns a contract between the directorate and a network of higher education institutions. The case has produced no finding.
Miranda rejected the Comptroller case as persecution in August, Semana reported. He had previously led the directorate under President Juan Manuel Santos, whose term is given as 2010–2018. La Opinión and Infobae also reported that the directorate’s administrative staff questioned whether Miranda met degree and experience requirements; that opinion became public when he was appointed.
Lara swore Miranda in on 7 September as crews fought forest fires in several departments. El País of Cali reported 21 active fires that day across Tolima, Cauca, Vichada, Norte de Santander, Valle del Cauca and Nariño. Large burns hit Tolima in August and the hills above Villa de Leyva in Boyacá in September. El País and La República reported that Miranda had more than 20 years in the national fire system.
Municipal and volunteer brigades handle day-to-day firefighting. The directorate coordinates those brigades and channels national support. Reports available by Saturday afternoon hadn’t named an interim head. This wasn’t the first abrupt departure at the top: Asuntos Legales reported that then-president Gustavo Petro declared director Lourdes Peña del Valle insubsistente on 8 April 2025 over contracting concerns.