[1] He received a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering with honors from Texas A&M University in 1985.

[1][2] Ibarguen started his career at the Universidad Francisco Marroquín as a professor of economics.

[1] His work has been published in Telecommunications Policy, Siglo Veintiuno, The Wall Street Journal, etc.

[1][2] Ibarguen was a member of the board of directors of the Centro de Estudios Económicos Sociales since 1990.

[1][2] In 1991, he was a founding member of the Asociación por el Poder Local (APOLO).

They have three children; Cristobal, Sebastian (married to Carolina Escobar) and Sofia, with one grandchild; Tiago [1][2] Ibarguen's best friends were Rafael and Chiqui Borjes.