The Colombian government has confirmed the elimination of a special service bonus worth about 11 million pesos for each congressman, as part of efforts to cut public spending in 2026. This move aims to address the ongoing fiscal crisis and promote austerity. Finance Minister Germán Ávila explained that the benefit, initially for installation costs, became improperly generalized.
The Colombian national government has taken a step toward austerity by eliminating a special bonus paid to congressmen for over 12 years. Announced by the Ministry of Finance, the measure addresses the need to cut expenses amid the fiscal crisis ahead of 2026.
Finance Minister Germán Ávila stated that this bonus, valued at about 11 million pesos per year per legislator, was originally intended to cover relocation and installation costs for congressmen from regions outside Bogotá. Over time, it extended to all 295 members of Congress, resulting in an estimated annual cost of up to 3.2 billion pesos for the state.
"That same benefit transformed into a generalized one for all congressmen, leading to a recurring cost that has been paid to all for more than 12 years, and today, because it is indexed, it stands at nearly 11 million pesos per congressman," Ávila said.
The elimination will be enacted by decree and will not apply in the next legislative session. This action is part of a broader package including tax increases and budget adjustments, driven by President Gustavo Petro to stabilize public finances and show coherence in resource management.
Although not all congressmen received the bonus, the government argues that its payment is no longer justified in the current economic context.
