Armando Benedetti

Armando Alberto Benedetti Villaneda (born 29 August 1967) is a Colombian social communicator, journalist, politician, and diplomat who has served as Minister of the Interior since 2025. A member of the Humane Colombia party, he has also served as Ambassador of Colombia to Venezuela, Colombia's Ambassador to the FAO, and Chief of Staff of the Casa de Nariño.

Born in Barranquilla, Atlántico. He holds a degree in Social Communication from the Pontifical Xavierian University. After serving as a Councilor of Bogotá from 1998 to 2000, he was elected to the Chamber of Representatives for Bogotá and later elected Senator in 2006, a position he held for sixteen years.

In 2022, he joined Gustavo Petro 2022 presidential campaign. Due to his political influence within the Petro administration, he is one of its most controversial members. In February 2024, he was confirmed as Chief of Staff of the Casa de Nariño and a week later as Minister of the Interior, replacing Juan Fernando Cristo.

Career Benedetti attended the Pontifical Xavierian University, and graduated with a degree in communication studies. He won with 31,855 votes. He won a seat in the national elections with 50,356 votes. On 20 July 2010, Benedetti was elected by his peers President of the Senate. As President of the Senate, Benedetti administered the oath of office to President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón when he took office the following month on 7 August.

Ambassador In August 2022, President Petro appointed Benedetti as Ambassador to Venezuela. On June 2, 2023, Ambassador Benedetti submitted a letter of resignation to President Petro after recordings of phone conversations surfaced in the media. In these, Benedetti threatened President Petro's Chief of Staff, Laura Sarabia, with releasing information regarding Petro's campaign financing that could, according to him, topple the government and send people to prison. Sarabia, who got her start in politics as an aide to Benedetti, resigned as Chief of Staff on June 2, 2023.

Personal life Armando Alberto was born on 29 August 1967 in Barranquilla, Colombia, to Armando Benedetti Jimeno and Genoveva Villaneda Jiménez. His sister Ángela María is the current Ambassador of Colombia to Panama.

Sanctions On October 24, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions against Benedetti, accusing him of involvement in drug-trafficking.