Colombia News: Minimum Wage, Elections & Weather Alerts – Latest Updates

Colombia’s minimum wage will remain at 2 million pesos for 2026, according to a decree issued January 1, 2026, by the government. The decision comes as candidates for the Cámara de Representantes participated in a forum this Tuesday, and follows a condemnation in the case of a feminicide in Aranzazu.

The minimum wage, equivalent to approximately $530 USD as of February 17, 2026, represents a 6.79% increase from the 2025 rate of 1.518 million pesos, as detailed in Decree 12.797/2025. The decree establishes the latest minimum wage for both the public and private sectors across the country. According to information from Portal Contábeis, the minimum wage is the lowest amount employers can legally pay employees for their work.

The forum featuring candidates for the Cámara de Representantes marks the second in a series of events, indicating ongoing political activity ahead of upcoming elections. Details regarding the specific candidates and their platforms were not immediately available.

In Aranzazu, a court has issued a conviction in the case of a woman’s murder, classified as a feminicide. Details surrounding the case, including the identity of the perpetrator and the specifics of the sentencing, have not been released.

Authorities have issued a yellow alert for rainfall in Manizales, signaling a potential risk of flooding and landslides. The alert underscores the ongoing challenges posed by weather events in the region.

The 2026 minimum wage represents a continuation of recent increases. In 2025, the minimum wage rose by 7.51% to 1.518 million pesos, and in 2024, it increased by 6.97% to 1.412 million pesos. The government adjusted the minimum wage on May 1, 2023, to 1.320 million pesos, a 1.38% increase, following an earlier adjustment on January 1, 2023, to 1.302 million pesos, representing a 7.30% increase.

The minimum wage is a key factor in determining remuneration for formal workers, as well as calculations for pensions, social security benefits, and unemployment insurance.