Government National Debt in Pesos Increased by Almost 20% in One Year
Central National Government Public Debt Grew by Almost 20% in 1 Year. Photo: Courtesy: Minhacienda
TL;DR
- Colombia's national government debt rose to $1,238 trillion pesos by February, an increase of 19.6% from the previous year's $1,035 trillion pesos.
- External public debt reached $372.8 trillion pesos (30.1% of GDP), up from $333.5 trillion pesos.
- Internal public debt stood at $865.4 trillion pesos (69.9% of GDP), an increase from $701.8 trillion pesos.
- The total public debt as a percentage of GDP grew from 57.4% to 62.9%.
- Javier Cuéllar, Director of Public Credit, stated that net debt as a percentage of GDP was 58.5% at the end of 2025 and is currently below 58%.
- Projections indicate the debt-to-GDP ratio will end 2026 around 58.9%.
- A discrepancy between net and gross debt is attributed to operations like a credit contracted in Swiss francs (Total Return Swap), involving approximately 9 billion Swiss francs.
- This TRS operation involves around $100 trillion pesos and is being paid down, which will reduce gross debt figures upon cancellation.
- As of April 8th, 20% of the Swiss franc loan has been repaid, with further payments scheduled through May, aiming to leave the country with 85% to 100% of the outstanding balance.