Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez has filed a lawsuit before the Council of State seeking to overturn the appointment of Daniel Quintero as the new Superintendent of Health. The legal action, submitted on the morning of Monday, April 27, to the Fifth Section of the Council of State, includes a request for a precautionary measure to immediately suspend the designation.
The lawsuit is supported and signed by key leaders of Medellín’s public hospital network. These include Juan David Arteaga Flórez, director of the Hospital General. Adriana Velásquez Arango, manager of Metrosalud; and Olga Cecilia Mejía Jaramillo, executive director of the Hospital Infantil Concejo de Medellín.
Challenges to Professional Qualifications
The District argues that the legal challenge is necessary to protect the stability of the city’s health system. The primary contention is that Quintero does not meet the mandatory requirements for the position.
According to the manual of functions for the Superintendent, the role requires expertise in health risks, public management, integral project management, health public policies, and a deep understanding of the General Social Security System in Health.
The plaintiffs point out that Quintero’s professional background—which includes roles at Innpulsa, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTic), and as Mayor of Medellín—is unrelated to the technical expertise required to lead the National Superintendency of Health.
Academic and Technical Deficiencies
The Mayor’s office highlighted that Quintero’s academic credentials consist of an undergraduate degree in Electronic Engineering and a specialization in Finance. The lawsuit argues that a technical body like the Superintendency requires a professional trajectory intrinsically linked to the health sector to ensure rigorous surveillance.
The demand states that appointing someone without this profile would “denaturalize the technical essence” of the position and could compromise the operational and legal stability of the entity.
Legal Demands and Potential Outcomes
Gutiérrez argued that even if the role of mayor were considered valid experience, it would be insufficient. He contended that the mayor’s role focuses on general administration and inter-institutional coordination rather than the technical surveillance performed by a superintendency.
The lawsuit further claims that even with postgraduate title compensations, the accumulated time would remain insufficient to satisfy legal requirements.
The primary goals of the lawsuit are to declare the nullity of Decree 0433, signed by President Gustavo Petro on April 23, 2026, and to order the cancellation of Quintero’s act of possession and his removal from the entity.
If the Council of State grants the requested precautionary measure, Quintero could be suspended from his functions while the court determines if he meets the legal eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Federico Gutiérrez suing to remove Daniel Quintero?
The Mayor of Medellín argues that Quintero does not meet the constitutional and legal requirements for the role, specifically lacking the necessary academic training and professional experience in the health sector.
What are the specific experience requirements for the Superintendent of Health?
The role requires 84 months of experience and knowledge in areas such as health risks, public management, health public policies, and the General Social Security System in Health.
What specific legal action is being sought regarding the appointment?
The lawsuit seeks the nullity of Decree 0433 (dated April 23, 2026), the cancellation of the act of possession, and a precautionary measure to suspend Quintero from his duties immediately.
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