00:00The four years of President Gustavo Petro were marked by several achievements thanks
00:04to reforms implemented during his government, such as the increase in the minimum wage,
00:09with the elections just days away.
00:11Let's take a look at some important details.
00:13Our correspondent, Nan Tovar, with those two details.
00:19Four years of the first progressive government have come to an end, and important changes
00:23were made in economic matters that allowed poverty, inflation, and unemployment to be
00:28reduced.
00:29This was achieved despite the opposition's efforts to boycott the reforms promoted by
00:34Gustavo Petro.
00:35The country reached a historically low within the rate of monetary poverty, which measures
00:40access to the basic basket, in 2024, when this indicator fell to 31.8 percent, the lowest
00:47since 2014.
00:49The decline in multidimensional poverty, which measures access to services, also continued
00:54in 2025, falling to 9.9 percent from 11.5 percent in 2024, representing the exit of at least
01:03793,000 people from this condition.
01:07This is possible thanks to a social and economic policy that has put redistribution of wealth
01:15at the center of efforts to overcome the inequality gaps that greatly affect social and economic
01:23development in Colombia.
01:27For the first time in the country's history, the minimum wage increased in real terms,
01:32surpassing inflation.
01:33The adjustment fixed by the presidential decree at 23 percent for 2026 determined the remuneration
01:40at approximately $466 U.S. dollars plus a transport subsidy.
01:49It is a race that should be valued, not only for the worth of goods, but also for the satisfaction
01:53of the whole family.
01:55This had never been done in Colombia before, and only this year was the race made with criteria
02:00of a vital salary, increasing by 23 percent.
02:03It is important because it strengthens the position of workers, increases their income and
02:08that of their families, and will undoubtedly lead to greater consumption in Colombia households.
02:12Despite warnings from some critics about a possible inflationary surge following the wage increase,
02:19annual inflation in April 2026, for example, remained stable at 5.68 percent, thus protecting
02:26purchasing power, according to the government.
02:29The increase in the price of some foods, which has led to inflationary pressure, is due to climatic
02:35factors and the rising cost of production inputs, such as fertilizers, and not to the minimum
02:42wage.
02:42La inflación controlada, pues garantiza estabilidad en los precios, o más bien,
02:48Controlled inflation means stable prices, which benefits everyone, as it allows us to buy
02:55things at the same price.
02:56However, you need money in your pocket to be able to buy things.
03:02Therefore, unlike what is happening in Argentina, for example, where salaries are being cut and
03:11the labor market is being made as flexible as possible, generating hunger and misery, the
03:19Colombian government has increased the minimum wage.
03:24This means that those who receive it have more money in their pockets, or that they can
03:30spend and, therefore, improve their well-being.
03:40According to analysts, the decline on unemployment in Colombia from 10.6 percent in 2022 to 8.2
03:49percent and 8.8 percent between 2025 and 2026 is due to the reactivation and creation of jobs
03:57in strategic sectors, such as manufacturing, construction, transport and the public sector.
04:04We are seeing that policies, which were previously thought to be unworkable due to their lack of
04:09effectiveness, are now producing the desired results.
04:13Increasing salaries is good because it reduces unemployment and stimulates the economy, therefore.
04:18Colombia should be a kind of laboratory to see what this risk represents, more job opportunities
04:23for people, better quality jobs and better paid jobs.
04:30Among the achievements of the current government, it paid off the total debt with the IMF, which
04:36amounted to $8 billion, implemented a policy of reducing legislative privileges and strengthening
04:42the currency.
04:43Around US$1.09 billion in financing for leasing, modernization and productive investment was granted
04:51to 63,000 small businesses.
04:54Hernán Darío Tobar Gaitán, Telesur, Bogotá, Colombia.
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