Following the Council of State's suspension of the 2026 minimum wage decree, President Gustavo Petro signed a new measure on February 19 from Plaza Bolívar in Bogotá, keeping the wage at $2 million (including transport subsidy) despite the ruling. The signing came amid protests defending the 23%+ increase, as the government pushes for a 'vital wage' by 2027.
On February 19, 2026, President Gustavo Petro signed a new decree from Plaza Bolívar in Bogotá, in response to citizen mobilizations defending the minimum wage increase. This follows the Council of State's provisional suspension earlier that week of the original decree setting the 2026 wage at $2 million—a 23% rise to the base salary and 23.7% including transport subsidy ($249,095)—as reported on February 16.
The new decree, which will be submitted to the Council of State, maintains the same wage level decreed in December 2025. Petro emphasized it represents no retreat, stating, "The current legal monthly minimum wage is the same as we decreed in December 2025. We are not backing down." He framed it as progress toward a vital wage by 2027, the most significant since 1991, enabling workers to cover household essentials.
Labor Minister Antonio Sanguino noted the decree incorporates 2025 inflation and productivity data from the original. The government has appealed Magistrate Juan Camilo Morales's suspension decision, arguing overreach; a transitory decree is planned if needed.
Insurers' guild Fasecolda backed the suspension for legal review and suggested reforms to reach a vital wage without straining pensions via indexation changes. Fitch Ratings cautioned that the 23% hike exceeds 2025's 5.1% inflation, risking pension reserves and insurer profitability.
