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Edition of Tuesday, 22 September 2026English edition
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The Geopolitician

Country risk, from the local press

Colombia · Country watch

Economic Emergency for El Niño, Energy Prices Surge

Colombia declares economic emergency for El Niño, while energy prices rise sharply, impacting multiple sectors.

· · 2 articles read

The picture Deteriorating How this is judged →

Conditions for business in Colombia are deteriorating due to the economic emergency declared for El Niño and rising energy prices. These developments increase costs and risks, particularly in agriculture and energy sectors, affecting operations and planning.

In this briefing Indalecio Dangond · Colombian government · Colombian energy sector · Colombian import market · Analdex

Regulation

  • Agriculture
  • Finance

Colombia declares economic emergency for El Niño

Green hills sit under a cloudy sky
Jhonny Estrada / Unsplash

The Colombian government has declared an economic emergency due to the effects of El Niño, according to KienyKe. The announcement was made by Agriculture Minister Indalecio Dangond, who stated that the emergency aims to address financial difficulties faced by agricultural producers affected by drought. The government plans to introduce financial relief measures to alleviate debt burdens on affected farmers. This move is expected to provide immediate support to the agricultural sector, which has been hit hard by adverse weather conditions.

Impact Agricultural producers in Colombia will receive financial relief to manage debt amid drought conditions.

Sources: KienyKe ↗, El Colombiano ↗

Markets

  • Energy

Energy prices soar in Colombia amid El Niño concerns

Energy prices in Colombia have surged, with the cost per kilowatt-hour reaching a peak of $1,513 in September, reports El Colombiano. The increase is attributed to anticipated impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to lead to reduced rainfall and affect energy tariffs. The average price from January to September rose from $254.1 to $1,105, marking a significant increase. The energy sector remains on alert as the most critical phase of El Niño is projected between December 2026 and February 2027.

Impact Energy consumers in Colombia face higher costs as electricity prices rise sharply.

Sources: El Colombiano ↗

Trade

  • Automotive
  • Energy

Colombia's imports hit record high in July 2026

Colombia's imports reached a historic high of $7,968.1 million in July 2026, according to El Colombiano. This represents a 22.9% increase compared to July 2025, when imports totaled $6,484 million. The rise is attributed to a strong demand for vehicles and gas, driven by a favorable exchange rate. The data, analyzed by Analdex, highlights the impact of a cheaper dollar on Colombia's import activities, particularly in the automotive and energy sectors.

Impact Importers of vehicles and gas benefit from a favorable exchange rate, boosting trade volumes.

Sources: El Colombiano ↗

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