In an update to its February provisional suspension of Colombia's 23.7% minimum wage increase for 2026, the Council of State dismissed government appeals, keeping the original decree suspended but maintaining the transitory increase via Decree 159 of 2026. Labor Minister Antonio Sanguino affirmed the measure's continuity pending a final merits ruling.
The Second Section of Colombia's Council of State on April 14 dismissed appeals for reconsideration and clarification against its precautionary suspension ruling from February 12, 2026. That initial decision by the Fourth Section had halted Decree 1469 of 2025—setting the 2026 monthly minimum wage at $1,750,905 (23.7% increase) plus transportation subsidy—due to inadequate technical justification under Law 278 of 1996.
Following the court's order, the government issued transitory Decree 159 of 2026 on February 19, ratifying the same percentage provisionally. Labor Minister Antonio Sanguino stated on X: "The living wage remains firm. [...] Today's Council of State decision does not affect the transitory decree we issued together with President Gustavo Petro."
Sanguino emphasized the ruling reaffirms the court's authority for precautionary measures without prejudging merits, noting Magistrate Juan Camilo Morales' clarification that no specific percentage was mandated, only legal procedure. He added that labor gains are irreversible, and the government will defend the increase constitutionally.
This development follows uncertainty from the initial suspension, which prompted stakeholder reactions but kept payments effective from January 1, 2026, via the transitory act. The case continues toward a full merits review.
