President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella promised to substantially increase subsidies for older Colombians living without a pension.
Though he lamented the “absolutely unfinanced” state of the Colombia Mayor senior subsidy program he will inherit, de la Espriella said he would meet its existing obligations and eventually raise its periodic payments to 400,000 pesos, or about $125 USD.
“Those who worked their entire lives for this country deserve a dignified old age,” de la Espriella said in a social media broadcast.
The increase in payments, up from a current maximum of 230,000 pesos ($72 USD), would mark a significant early investment in social welfare for the incoming right-wing president, who promised during his campaign to dramatically reduce government spending.
De la Espriella, who is set to take office on August 7, reiterated that commitment on Sunday while railing against his predecessor.
De la Espriella’s announcement came with an early endorsement, albeit one with caveats, from outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who worked to expand eligibility for the program’s highest payments.
In a post on X, Petro said he didn’t oppose the idea but said various laws would need to be broken in order for it to be implemented in the absence of pension reform, which passed in 2024 but was blocked by Colombia’s Constitutional Court.
“If the pension reform bill is not approved in court, then the only remaining option is to raise taxes, and the question is, who will be charged?” Petro asked.
The longstanding program reaches about three million Colombians, with payment amounts depending on factors including age and gender. It’s viewed as a key social program to support those who worked but retired without a pension.
De la Espriella did not indicate when the new payments would take effect, only that it would be done “once we overcome this disaster, this financial mess.”
Funding for Colombia Mayor that was meant to last the entire year was exhausted by July, and 3.2 billion pesos are needed to ensure its continuance between August and December, according to De la Espriella.
“The irresponsible and thieving government, which thankfully is finally ending, spent the money meant for our elderly in the first half of the year, right in the middle of the election campaign,” De la Espriella said.
De la Espriella did not provide further detail on the deficit and Petro did not directly address it in his statement on X
He asked Colombians to wait a few weeks while “we put the house in order” and cut unnecessary expenses, but that his government would continue to make payments to eligible recipients.
