Colombia to enact 2027 budget by decree after congressional error

Colombia's 2027 General National Budget will be issued by decree after a procedural error prevented its ratification in Congress. The flaw originated in an article where differences between the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate were not reconciled.

Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara said nothing serious happened and that around 90 percent of the text would remain the same as the version Congress failed to ratify. He stated his role was to secure votes, not to lead the initiative, and declined to criticize his cabinet colleague.

“To the fallen, I will never wish harm.”

Vice President José Manuel Restrepo announced the government would issue the decree during the day. He said the total amount of 634.9 trillion pesos and the distribution approved in the first debate remained valid.

The budget will recover the composition defined in the first debate: 392.6 trillion pesos for operations, 155 trillion for debt service, and 86 trillion for investment.

Major allocations include 79 trillion pesos for Health, 78.7 trillion for Education, and 58.8 trillion for Labor. Finance will receive 37.2 trillion, Defense 33.9 trillion, and the National Police 20.9 trillion.

Restrepo called it the budget of truth and sent a message of calm to investors and international bondholders. The government said the decree reflects the fiscal adjustment effort the country needs.