Key facts
- The 2027 budget bill approved by Colombia's Congress could be scrapped due to a procedural flaw.
- The flaw involves a discrepancy in the text of an article between the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- If rejected, the government would have to set the 634.9 trillion pesos ($201 billion) budget by decree.
- The approved budget exceeds the 2026 budget of 555.8 trillion pesos and projects a 9.4% fiscal deficit.
Colombia's 2027 budget bill, approved by Congress on Tuesday, faces potential cancellation due to a procedural flaw. Lawmakers and legal experts have pointed to a discrepancy in the text of an article between the House of Representatives and the Senate, which was not reconciled. This flaw could invalidate the entire budget process. If the spending distributions, amounting to 634.9 trillion pesos ($201 billion), are rejected, the government of President Abelardo De La Espriella would be forced to establish the budget by decree. The approved budget surpasses the 2026 budget of 555.8 trillion pesos and anticipates a fiscal deficit of 9.4% of GDP. Senator Juan Caicedo noted that the government's original bill, including modifications from the first debate, would take effect if the current approval is invalidated.