President Gustavo Petro called for an investigation into floods in Córdoba, Chocó, Sucre, and Bolívar, blaming an unpredictable cold front and overloaded hydroelectric dams releasing excess water. He ordered an immediate probe by superintendencies and asked the Constitutional Court to lift the suspension of an economic emergency decree to address the climate crisis. The event has caused 14 deaths and affected thousands of families along the Caribbean coast.
President Gustavo Petro addressed the floods hitting the departments of Córdoba, Chocó, Sucre, Bolívar, and Antioquia, highlighting two main causes: an unpredictable climate crisis with an Arctic cold front and "super full" levels in hydroelectric dams. In a post on his X account, Petro specifically mentioned the Urrá hydroelectric plant in Córdoba and Hidroituango, noting they were releasing over 2,500 tons of water per second amid supposed gas shortages in the country.
"That lost energy could not have replaced gas, ten times more expensive than hydropower, instead of dumping it as torrential water at this hour over farmers' homes and cities," the president questioned. He warned of the cold front's final impact in northeast and east Antioquia, and called for the resignation of Urrá's manager for keeping the reservoir above permitted levels for 27% of days in the last two months.
During the eight-hour National Risk Management Council, UNGRD director Carlos Carrillo recommended declaring an economic emergency for recovery, estimating costs in billions of pesos given fiscal constraints. Petro asked the Constitutional Court to lift the suspension of a previous decree, arguing the climate crisis creates growing unpredictability. If a new one is declared, it would be the fifth under his government and the ninth since the 20th century.
The official tally shows 14 deaths, 9,000 homes destroyed, 50,000 families affected, 35,000 hectares flooded, and 300,000 impacted. Petro quoted the FAO on hunger risks in Córdoba and Sucre due to this crisis. An expanded council was called for Saturday, with ministerial discussion on Monday.
