Óscar Naranjo is rightfully considered one of the most respected leaders in Colombia and Latin America. Under his brilliant leadership, he propelled the Colombian National Police to its highest level in history. He is recognized not only for his special skills in intelligence and security, but also for his unique humility, enviable eloquence, and wonderful lessons on leadership and transformation.
Óscar Naranjo Trujillo was born in Bogotá in 1956. He served as Director of the Colombian National Police from May 2007 to June 2012.
Thousands of arrests, hundreds of thousands of hectares of illegal crops eradicated, tons of drugs seized, advances in intelligence and professionalization, and international cooperation are some of the elements that likely contributed to General Naranjo designation as the Best Policeman in the World by his peers in 2010.
Naranjo holds a degree in Police Administration with a postgraduate specialization in Comprehensive Security. He took the General Management Diploma for the National Police at the Institute of Business Management (INALDE) at the Universidad de la Sabana.
Within the police force, he held positions such as Director of Police Intelligence, Commander of the Cali Metropolitan Police, Director of Criminal Investigation and INTERPOL, Police Attaché at the Colombian Embassy in the United Kingdom, and participated in various international missions.
On May 17, 2007, he was appointed Director of the National Police by President Álvaro Uribe. In December 2010, President Juan Manuel Santos promoted him to four-star general, the first and only police officer in Colombia to hold this rank; that same year, President Santos reaffirmed him as head of the institution. In June 2012, after 35 years in the police and five years as Director, he decided to retire from the police, leaving behind a significant legacy and a huge challenge for his successor.
After a life full of sacrifices and risks, when people thought General Naranjo would enjoy a well-deserved retirement—or at least a quieter life—he surprised everyone by accepting a new professional challenge in Mexico, where he resided starting in August 2012. He accepted an invitation from Lic. Enrique Peña Nieto, President-elect of Mexico, to support him as a security advisor. Additionally, he has served as a consultant for the IDB on Citizen Security projects in various Latin American countries.
In recent years, under the Planet Publishing label, he has published two books recounting episodes from Colombia's history in the fight against drug trafficking, titled They Thought They Were Untouchable and The Fall of Pablo Escobar.
Knowing his tireless work capacity, strong vocation for service, and impressive intellectual curiosity, it is not surprising that General Naranjo wants to remain very active in the public life of Latin America. Nothing else could be expected from someone rightfully considered one of the most influential people in recent Colombian history.
Clearly, General Naranjo has great lessons to share. His warm style and brilliant eloquence, combined with his sharp theoretical and practical knowledge, make him a wonderful speaker.
