In a sweeping austerity move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has enacted a substantial 30% reduction in congressional salaries through presidential decree. The decision, announced Tuesday, directly targets what the government describes as “disproportionate” compensation for legislators in a nation grappling with economic constraints and preparing for pivotal elections.
The decree eliminates the controversial ‘bonus for special services’—a supplemental payment introduced over a decade ago to cover lawmakers’ relocation expenses. This elimination will reduce monthly congressional earnings from approximately $13,000 to $9,400. The previous salary represented a staggering 32 times Colombia’s minimum wage, which stands at roughly $500 per month for most workers.
This dramatic pay disparity has long been a subject of public scrutiny in the South American nation. Despite previous legislative attempts to curb congressional compensation, such measures have consistently failed amid resistance from lawmakers who argued the funds were necessary to finance future political campaigns.
The salary reduction will take effect in July following legislative elections in March and presidential elections in May. The timing underscores the government’s push for fiscal restraint during an election cycle.
Reactions from Congress have been sharply divided. Senator Angélica Lozano welcomed the move as “a minimal measure of equity” on social media platform X. Conversely, Senate President Lidio García accused Petro of attempting to “punish” legislators who rejected his social and economic reforms, including a tax bill that failed in December.
The wage cut coincides with Petro’s broader economic emergency measures, which enable him to raise taxes without congressional approval. The government seeks to increase its budget by $4 billion this year to address multiple priorities: covering health insurance payments, maintaining fuel subsidies, and investing $700 million in military infrastructure to counter rebel drone attacks.
Public spending has reached unprecedented levels under Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president, exceeding even pandemic-era expenditures. The national government’s 2025 budget stands at approximately $134 billion, creating additional pressure for fiscal reforms.