Irene Vélez Torres (born August 2, 1982) is a Colombian philosopher and doctor in political geography.

She completed a doctorate in political geography at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and has written on natural resource issues and environmental conflicts in Colombia[4][5] Vélez served as an environmental social leader against mining in Colombia, leading research related to the environmental impact of illegal mining on communities and energy transition models, and serving as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Valle.

On August 6, 2022, President-elect Gustavo Petro instead appointed her Minister of Mines and Energy.

[7] After controversies, including two censure motions, she had to resign in June 2023, over a case of influence-peddling involving a migration officer who was pressured, allegedly, by Vélez to allow the departure of her son for Europe without complying with legal requirements.

[8] A charge of influence peddling is pending in the Colombian courts, as of 2024, as is a legal challenge to her appointment to a Consular diplomatic post in London ahead of other qualified candidates.