Petro and SIC to probe irrational price increases by firms

President Gustavo Petro announced that, alongside the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC), they will investigate any company irrationally raising prices to customers at the start of the new year. The initiative aims to safeguard consumer rights and foster fair market conditions. Citizens can report unjustified hikes directly to the SIC.

As 2026 begins, Colombian businesses adjust their product and service prices, prompting President Gustavo Petro to step in against potential abuses. Via his X account, the leader confirmed a partnership with the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) to scrutinize any firm unjustifiably hiking rates on customers.

The core goal is to ensure equitable market operations, enabling citizens to report unreasonable price surges to the regulatory body. This oversight aims to deter practices that undermine trust in formal trade and strain household budgets.

Petro highlighted the importance of adhering to existing regulations, delivering a strong signal to the business community about the repercussions of disregarding consumer protections. Thus, enhanced monitoring of corporate conduct promotes a more transparent and fair economic landscape for all stakeholders.

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Dramatic illustration of Presidents Petro and Uribe in heated debate over Colombia's economic emergency decree, featuring decree documents, court symbols, and protests.
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Petro-Uribe Clash Intensifies Over Colombia's Economic Emergency Decree

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Following the December 19 announcement of an economic emergency and business groups' petitions for suspension, President Gustavo Petro issued the decree on December 25. Álvaro Uribe's Centro Democrático filed a tutela claiming it unconstitutional, but the Constitutional Court delayed review until January 13 amid judicial vacancy, sparking a public feud.

President Gustavo Petro urged the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio to probe unjustified increases in goods and services tied to the recent vital salary hike. In a televised Council of Ministers, he criticized practices exploiting the 23.7% salary rise to inflate costs in areas like education and building management.

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President Gustavo Petro warned construction firms against deceptive housing pricing practices and requested probes by the Superintendence of Surveillance. He accused some companies of scamming customers by indexing prices to the minimum wage, despite drops in material costs. He also urged withholding subsidies from irregular firms.

The Colombian government, led by President Gustavo Petro, announced legal actions against 17 governors refusing to apply the economic emergency decree, as the Constitutional Court reviews its legality. This clash creates uncertainty over collected taxes, such as the 19% VAT on liquors, and potential refunds if the measure is ruled unconstitutional. Experts warn that criminal penalties are unlikely and highlight the complexity of reimbursements.

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President Gustavo Petro announced the end of private road concessions as his government's primary budget-saving measure, shifting management to the state to potentially reduce tolls. This follows the recent confirmation of a 5.30% toll increase starting January 2026 tied to inflation.

The Department of Agriculture has warned retailers that unjustified hikes in basic food prices will not be tolerated, potentially leading to formal complaints and investigations. Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the agency will intensify price monitoring in major urban wet markets in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. This action addresses the accelerating inflation recorded in December.

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Colombia's Banco de la República raised its intervention rate by 100 basis points to 10.25%—the highest in over a year—in its first 2026 board meeting, citing persistent inflation above 5% for nearly six months and unanchored expectations from a 23.8% minimum wage hike decreed by President Petro's government. The decision, with a split 4-2-1 vote, drew market surprise and government criticism over economic contraction risks.

 

 

 

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