Colombia's 'Change' Government Fails to Reform Toll System and Congressional Privileges

The administration that came to power under the banner of “Cambio” pledged to dismantle entrenched political and management abuses that had persisted for decades. It promised to open the toll‑road system, eliminate special privileges for members of Congress and aggressively combat corruption.

Four years later, the assessment is that the power structures remain largely unchanged. The toll system managed by INVÍAS, highlighted by President Gustavo Petro as a historic abuse, stayed intact with differential rates that existed under previous governments. No substantive reforms to historic contracts or financial models were introduced, and the alleged capture of the state and Congress by toll operators persisted.

Similarly, the effort to curb congressional privileges faltered. The anti‑privilege referendum received no genuine governmental backing, and the decree that would remove the congressional service‑bonus of 18 million pesos per month was never enforced. The administration’s record shows minimal action against the corruption it pledged to eradicate.