Colombia’s Education Funding Sparks Political Row and New School Project

President Gustavo Petro reacted to a social‑media post attributed to President‑elect Abelardo de la Espriella that claimed the Petro administration mishandled more than $69 billion in scholarships for the departments of Magdalena and Chocó. The post cited a recent report from the Comptroller General indicating there is no documentation for the funds and accused the government of corruption. Petro denied the allegations, defending his education policies and suggesting the accusations are false, stating, “Así comienza el próximo gobierno diciendo mentiras.”

At the same time, Colombia’s Ministry of Education, in partnership with Findeter, opened a public tender (PAF‑MENPNIE‑I‑057‑2026) to contract the integral supervision of the review, adjustment, and construction of the “Institución Educativa Nuestros Esfuerzos” in Riosucio, Chocó. The project, budgeted at roughly 1.34 billion Colombian pesos, aims to strengthen educational infrastructure in the region, with proposals accepted until 30 June 2026.