Colombia incoming government economic plan

In late July 2026, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Colombia’s vice‑president‑elect José Manuel Restrepo in Washington ahead of the August 7 inauguration of President‑elect Abelardo de la Espriella. The United States pledged to work with the incoming administration and multilateral lenders, announcing a $63 million non‑reimbursable fund from the Inter‑American Development Bank to support economic growth, foreign investment, anti‑corruption and anti‑narcotics efforts.

A few weeks later, in early August, the National Federation of Merchants (Fenalco) met with Restrepo and Commerce Minister Mauricio Gómez Amín in Barranquilla. The three parties presented a four‑year roadmap for the commercial sector, emphasizing three pillars: leveraging the recovery of the Venezuelan market, simplifying bureaucratic procedures, and accelerating internationalisation. They launched the “Plan Tenderos,” a programme to modernise and secure small shops and neighbourhood merchants.

Together the meetings illustrate a coordinated strategy that combines external financial support with domestic policy initiatives to boost Colombia’s economy as the new government takes office.