In a session that reflected both the Government’s political agreements and the tensions over the distribution of spending, the Senate plenary approved this Thursday – October 16 – the General Budget of the Nation (PGN) for 2026, for a total amount of $546.9 billion; as agreed during the votes in Joint Economic Commissions and the possibility of adjusting the Financing Law.
With 50 votes in favor and 27 against, the Legislature gave the green light to the text that had already been approved by the House of Representatives, which avoids the conciliation process and leaves ready the budget that will govern as of January 1 of next year.
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The approved amount maintains the structure proposed by the Ministry of Finance, without cuts or modifications compared to the initial project, in which public spending grows by 5.3% compared to the 2025 budget; in a decision that marks the closure of a debate that, although it was resolved with clear majorities, leaves open several concerns about fiscal sustainability, the regional distribution of resources and the prioritization of social spending.
The Minister of Finance, Germán Ávila, celebrated the approval as a triumph of the dialogue between the Government and Congress and indicated that “I am especially grateful to the senators and representatives who accompanied this debate. We have given a significant example that there is agreed paths to achieve fundamental strategies in the development of the country.”
These expense accounts will come into force on January 1, 2026.
According to the official, the consultation between the economic commissions and the plenary sessions of both chambers allowed for an agreed text that guarantees continuity in the programs of the National Development Plan.
Harsh criticism of the process
However, the atmosphere was not unanimous and from sectors of the opposition and the political center Criticism was heard for what they considered an “express” approval and without deep debate; as was the case of Senator Angélica Lozano, who expressed her refusal to accept the text without modifications, warning that the decision could expose the budget to “risks of nullity,” as happened with the pension reform.
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In addition, he questioned the elimination of his “padlock” proposal, which sought to prevent the possibility of a new credit for $16 billion, which he described as “a disguised tax reform.”
Lozano also criticized the increase in resources to Executive entities, in particular an additional $280,000 million to the Administrative Department of the Presidency (Dapre) and $587,000 million to control entities, while reducing amounts to the Ombudsman’s Office; warning that “increasing games “without clear objectives or adequate controls is a serious mistake in a context of fiscal tightness.”
These expense accounts will come into force on January 1, 2026.
Another critical voice was that of Senator Alfredo Deluque, who voted against the project, arguing that the budget “turns its back on the regions” and does not respond to the true needs of the country. Likewise, he pointed out that “after three years and two months of government, they continue to blame the past to justify their lack of results. This is the Government of change, but nothing changed.”
From the social sector, Senator Norma Hurtado emphasized the impact on public health, warning that the resources allocated to the social security system “do not reflect the magnitude of the deficit” and ignore the needs of a system that currently has millions of Colombians affected, who are awaiting medical treatment.
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According to Hurtado, the reduction of contributions to medium and high medical complexity can put at risk the care of patients with chronic or high-cost diseases and ironically said that “little was said about the system’s deficit. I don’t know if all the patients were cured and they didn’t notify us.”
Despite criticism, the Government celebrates the approval as a sign of institutional stability and compliance with the fiscal rule; while the Ministry of Finance confirms that the spending plan is aligned with the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, and that it will allow “maintaining social programs, promoting infrastructure and guarantee debt service without compromising macroeconomic sustainability.”
These expense accounts will come into effect on January 1, 2026.
The debate now moves to budget execution, where the challenge will be to convert the approved allocations into tangible results, since the discussion on spending priorities, investment efficiency and territorial equity will remain open and fiscal alerts remain on the table.
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