Colombia's Constitutional Court provisionally suspended Decree 1390 of December 22, 2025, which declared an Economic and Social Emergency. President Gustavo Petro criticized the decision as a rupture of the constitutional order and stated that the cost of the debt will not fall on the working class. The government plans to present new tax laws to address the deficit.
On January 30, 2026, Colombia's Constitutional Court voted six to two to provisionally suspend the effects of Decree 1390, issued on December 22, 2025, by President Gustavo Petro. This measure had declared an Economic and Social Emergency to address a structural fiscal deficit and high risk to public debt payments. Magistrate Carlos Camargo's report called for reviewing the norm while the Full Chamber rules on the merits.
Petro responded on his X account, claiming the court prejudged without examining the government's reasons. 'When for decades the Constitutional Court prohibited provisionally suspending an emergency decree, the current Constitutional Court, without studying our reasons, decided to do so. It is literally prejudging', he wrote. He added that this represents 'a real rupture of the constitutional order, only because there is a government that is a friend of the working people'. The president stressed that, while he governs, 'any cost of the debt will not be paid by the working people'.
Petro also lamented that the suspension protects taxes on wealthy sectors, socializing a greater crisis. 'Now the consequences of sinking the emergency decree will come. By saving the tax on the mega-rich, a greater crisis will be transferred and socialized', he posted. He clarified that the decision is not retroactive, so derived decrees retain presumption of legality.
Interior Minister Armando Benedetti voiced concern, stating that lifting the emergency creates a social emergency by blocking resources for social programs and affecting national stability. 'This decision protects the richest sectors and blocks resources that could be allocated to the population that needs them most', he said.
Technical Deputy Finance Minister Leonardo Pazos confirmed the government will present new financing and ordinary tax laws. 'We have to present financing laws again... We will do it', he assured. He warned of a 16.3 trillion peso cut, leaving five million Colombians in three departments without energy and limiting aid for winter wave disaster victims.
Petro linked this to broader defenses, such as the vital salary (Decree 1469 with a 23% increase) and pension reform, calling for the peaceful force of the people and a constituent assembly.
