Finance

LATAM carried 759,659 passengers to and from Barranquilla between January and September 2026
LATAM Airlines Colombia said it carried 759,659 passengers to and from Barranquilla between January and September 2026, compared with 657,046 in the same period of 2025, an increase of close to 16%. Operations grew 21%, from 112 to 136 weekly round-trip flights, and the load factor rose from about 76% to 81%. The Bogotá route went from 48 to 51 weekly frequencies and Medellín from eight to 14. The airline flagged infrastructure priorities at Ernesto Cortissoz airport.
FinanceColombiaELHERALDO.COOct 31AI
Minagricultura outlines roadmap to rebuild Quibdó after the earthquake
The reconstruction of Quibdó after the August 10 earthquake is moving forward with four lines of support between the National Government and the Mayor's Office: demolitions, housing improvement, loans for small businesses and new housing. The update was presented by the special manager for Chocó's reconstruction, José Leonidas Tobón Torreglosa, and Mayor Rafael Antonio Bolaños Pino, 83 days after the quake. Fifty-seven demolition assessments have been issued and 908 homes are still awaiting evaluation.
FinanceColombiaELHERALDO.COOct 31AI
Colombia's central bank to buy US$2 billion from the government for international reserves
The board of Banco de la República authorized the direct purchase of 2 billion dollars from the Colombian government as a complement to its international reserves accumulation program. The operation will be executed before the end of 2026, through the Finance Ministry's Directorate General of Public Credit and National Treasury, at the exchange rate in force on the day of each operation. Governor Leonardo Villar said the decision comes amid high international uncertainty and that the country will be able to position itself at the midpoint of the IMF's recommended range.
FinanceColombiaLa PatriaOct 31AI
Colombia's central bank holds rate at 12.25% in split vote
The board of Banco de la República kept its interest rate at 12.25%, the highest level since March 2024. Four board members voted for stability and three for a 25-basis-point hike. Annual inflation rose to 6.29% in September from 6.24% in August, while core inflation eased to 6.07%. The board also cited weak economic activity and risks from the El Niño phenomenon and public finances.
FinanceColombiaEl ColombianoOct 31AI
Fenalcarbón warns of blackout risk in Colombia during its summit in Bogotá
The possibility of a blackout in Colombia was raised again with concern during the Colombian Coal Summit 2026, organized by Fenalcarbón in Bogotá on October 28 and 29. The event, focused on coal, devoted much of its agenda to the country's energy security. The concern is greater in the Caribbean region, especially in Cesar, where guaranteeing continuity of electricity service has become a problem with no apparent short-term solution.
FinanceColombiaEl PilónOct 31AI
El Cercado: from impounded water to a new economy for La Guajira
The El Cercado multipurpose project in La Guajira aims to supply aqueducts, develop irrigation districts and generate electricity. President De La Espriella instructed Agriculture Minister Indalecio Dangond to structure, with international cooperation, a financial mechanism to put it into operation. The connection to the Corral de Piedra plant was enabled, opening an alternative supply for more than 45,000 residents of San Juan del Cesar. Completing the Ranchería and San Juan del Cesar irrigation districts remains pending.
FinanceColombiaEl InformadorOct 31AI
Nariño launches formalization and training program for microentrepreneurs
Guild and government entities in Nariño announced a comprehensive support program for microentrepreneurs aimed at boosting economic growth and giving greater stability to the region's commercial sector. The initiative offers advisory services in financial management, digital innovation and business formalization processes, as well as fair spaces and business roundtables to connect regional producers with wholesale buyers. Beneficiary merchants highlighted the technical support to consolidate their productive units and generate formal employment.
FinanceColombiaDiario del SurOct 30AI
Manizales seeks investment in Barranquilla through contacts with about 25 companies
Invest in Manizales led a business mission to Barranquilla on October 27 and 28, together with Manizales' ICT and Competitiveness Secretariat and the Manizales Chamber of Commerce, to contact about 25 companies, including Tecnoglass and Atlantic Quantum Innovations. The goal is to attract investment, encourage the opening of corporate offices and facilitate distribution centers, with a focus on technology, metalworking, agro-industry and tourism.
FinanceColombiaLa PatriaOct 30AI
Colombia's central bank to buy US$2 billion from the government to strengthen reserves
The board of Banco de la República authorized the direct purchase of US$2 billion from the national government to strengthen international reserves and complement the foreign currency accumulation program in place since August 2026. The operation will be carried out through the Ministry of Finance's Directorate General of Public Credit and National Treasury during the remainder of 2026, at the exchange rate (TRM) in force on the transaction date, according to governor Leonardo Villar.
FinanceColombiaEl ColombianoOct 30AI
Bogotá resists the national slowdown: industry, transport and retail lead the regional economic pulse
According to the Banco de la República's Regional Economic Pulse, Colombia's economy stalled in the third quarter of 2026, with growth close to zero shaped by the August 10 earthquake and high temperatures. Bogotá stayed in positive territory, driven by industry, transport and retail, although its pace fell from 0.10 in the second quarter to 0.05 in the third. Cundinamarca led retail sales with 22.4% annual growth and Bogotá was second with 21.5%.
FinanceColombiaEl TiempoOct 30AI
Colombia's central bank to buy US$2 billion from the government in 2026
The board of Banco de la República authorized the direct purchase of US$2 billion from the Colombian government before the end of 2026, using dollars available at the Ministry of Finance and at the exchange rate (TRM) in force on the day of each operation. Governor Leonardo Villar said the decision seeks to strengthen international reserves amid high global uncertainty, elevated interest rates and tight financial conditions. The operation adds to the reserve accumulation program the central bank has run since August, through which it has bought about US$1.1 billion.
FinanceColombiaVanguardiaOct 30AI
Economic Rescue Bill 477 of 2026 filed with a 70.2 trillion peso fiscal adjustment
The Economic Rescue Bill 477 of 2026, with 105 articles, was filed on October 29 before the Chamber of Representatives. It concentrates 70% of the adjustment on public spending cuts and seeks a 70.2 trillion peso adjustment (4.1% of GDP) between 2027 and 2030. It proposes cutting corporate income tax from 35% to 33% in 2027 and to 31% from 2028, eliminating the reduced 5% VAT rate on several products from 2028 and lowering the income tax filing threshold from 57 to 35 million pesos.
FinanceColombiaEl Nuevo DíaOct 30AI
Bogotá Comptroller's Office reviews $1.4 trillion bond issuance and its impact on debt and inflation
Bogotá's Comptroller's Office is reviewing the District's public debt bond issuance worth more than 1.4 trillion pesos, carried out on October 20, to assess its fiscal impact. The body clarified that it does not currently involve fiscal responsibility proceedings or sanctions. It will convene a technical meeting with the Finance Secretariat to examine rates, terms and the structure of the securities. About 80% of the bonds are linked to CPI and UVR, and the cut-off rate for ten-year bonds was 13.82%.
FinanceColombiaPulzoOct 30AI
Colombia's central bank to buy $2 billion from the government to strengthen international reserves
The board of Banco de la República authorized the direct purchase of $2 billion from the government, an operation to be executed before the end of 2026 that adds to the foreign currency accumulation program the central bank has run since August. The purchase will be made through the Ministry of Finance's Directorate General of Public Credit and National Treasury, at the exchange rate in force on the day of each operation. Governor Leonardo Villar said the decision seeks more reserves amid high international uncertainty.
FinanceColombiaZona CeroOct 30AI
Colombia's central bank holds interest rate at 12.25%
Banco de la República decided this Friday, October 30, to keep its monetary policy interest rate at 12.25%, amid concerns over inflation and the performance of Colombia's economy. The board adopted the decision by majority, with four votes to hold and three in favor of a 25-basis-point hike. Among the factors analyzed was annual inflation in September, around 6.3%, above the central bank's 3% target.
FinanceColombiaDiario del SurOct 30AI
Colombia's central bank holds interest rate at 12.25% in split vote
The board of Colombia's Banco de la República voted by majority to keep the monetary policy interest rate unchanged at 12.25%. Four directors backed holding steady and three voted for a 25-basis-point increase. The announcement was led by general manager Leonardo Villar, without Finance Minister Miguel Gómez present. The decision comes with annual inflation at 6.3% in September and core inflation at 6.0%. The board also authorized buying US$2 billion from the government for the rest of 2026.
FinanceColombiaEl TiempoOct 30AI
Colombia's central bank to buy $2 billion from the government to boost reserves
The board of Banco de la República authorized the direct purchase of $2 billion from the national government as a complement to its international reserves accumulation program, an operation to be executed before the end of 2026. The purchase will be made through the Ministry of Finance's Directorate General of Public Credit and National Treasury, at the exchange rate in force on the day of each operation. Governor Leonardo Villar said the decision comes amid high international uncertainty and that the amount considered its impact on peso liquidity.
FinanceColombiaELHERALDO.COOct 30AI
Banco de la República holds rates steady: three directors wanted another hike
The Banco de la República's board kept the policy rate at 12.25% at its October 30 meeting, with four votes in favor and three against. The three dissenting directors voted for a 25-basis-point increase. The decision came with annual inflation at 6.3% in September, far from the 3% target, and signs of slowing growth in the third quarter. Governor Leonardo Villar presented the decision.
FinanceColombiaMinuto 30Oct 30AI
Colombia's central bank holds interest rate at 12.25% despite expectations of a hike
Banco de la República decided to keep its interest rate unchanged at 12.25%, even though the market expected an increase of at least 25 basis points. The vote was split: four members backed holding the rate and three asked for a 0.25 percentage point hike. Factors considered include September's annual inflation of 6.29%, far from the 3% target, inflation expectations near 6% and the impact of the El Niño phenomenon on food prices.
FinanceColombiaVanguardiaOct 30AI
Colombia's central bank holds rate at 12.25% and will buy US$2 billion from the government
The board of Colombia's Banco de la República decided to keep its policy rate at 12.25%, the level held since October, without raising or cutting it for now. It also announced the purchase of 2 billion dollars from the national government to build up international reserves. In the operation the state sells those dollars to the central bank and receives the equivalent in Colombian pesos, more than 6 trillion pesos depending on the exchange rate used, to meet its liquidity needs.
FinanceColombiaNoticias RCNOct 30AI