President Gustavo Petro backed the ANI decision not to renew the Autopistas del Café concession. He criticized tolls as a financial business and proposed alternatives such as railroads.
The announcement followed seven days of protests at tolls on the Manizales-Pereira corridor. Local communities questioned the number of toll booths in the departments of Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío.
ANI executive vice president Roberto Uparela confirmed that the concession operation will end on February 1, 2027. Differential rates will also be implemented for residents near the Tarapacá I and II, San Bernardo del Viento and Las Pavas tolls.
Petro posted on X that “public works are cheaper and other ways to build state infrastructure starting with the railroads.” He added that “it is not economically rational to cover Colombia’s roads with tolls to make a financial business” and that “a change begins that must be deepened.”
