Colombia’s Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia (Financial Superintendency of Colombia, or SFC) has published for public comment a draft external circular that would give banks, insurers and other supervised financial institutions temporary instructions to assist consumers affected by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the country on August 10, 2026. The comment period, open since August 12, closes at 11:59 p.m. on August 14, 2026, giving industry and the public a two-business-day window to respond, according to the draft text and the SFC’s own consultation record.

The earthquake, with an epicenter in the municipality of San José del Palmar in Chocó department and a depth of 96 kilometers, triggered 991 additional seismic events within a 900-kilometer radius, according to figures cited in the SFC’s draft circular, including 115 in the magnitude 5.0-to-5.9 range, 18 between magnitude 6.0 and 6.9, and three exceeding magnitude 7.0. The national government declared a state of national disaster the following day, August 11, through Decree 1171, covering Antioquia, Caldas, Cauca, Chocó, Quindío, Cundinamarca, Risaralda, Huila, Valle del Cauca, Tolima, Putumayo, Norte de Santander and other affected territories for an initial 12 months, renewable for an equal term, as Finance Colombia reported at the time.

Death toll still climbing

As of the evening of August 12, Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella cited a balance from the Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, or UNGRD) showing a toll that had continued to climb since the quake struck two days earlier.

“We have 25,872 affected families, 53,816 people, sadly 265 dead, 3,494 injured, and the number of missing has risen alarmingly to 496.”— Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella, citing the UNGRD balance, August 12, 2026

The same balance reported 11,347 homes destroyed and 53,526 damaged, 140 buildings collapsed, and 1,819 schools and 631 community centers affected. Earlier counts from the same day had put the toll lower, underscoring that the figures remained provisional; international search-and-rescue teams, coordinated by UNGRD, were still arriving as of August 13 to assist Colombian personnel, and officials have cautioned the toll is likely to keep rising.

Colombia’s disaster management law, Ley 1523 de 2012, activates a special legal regime once a national disaster is declared, including articles 86 and 87, which allow affected debtors to seek refinancing of existing obligations. The SFC’s draft circular says it is exercising its instruction authority under the Estatuto Orgánico del Sistema Financiero (Organic Statute of the Financial System) and Decree 2555 of 2010 to translate that legal framework into binding instructions for the institutions it supervises.

Refinancing terms for affected borrowers

Under the draft measures, lending institutions would be required to adopt refinancing programs for borrowers affected by the disaster, subject to conditions drawn directly from the 2012 law: refinancing would apply only to obligations contracted before August 10, 2026, with payments due on or after that date; the new loan term could not exceed double the remaining term or 20 years, whichever is shorter; refinanced terms could not be more burdensome than the original ones; and borrowers would have to apply while the disaster declaration remains in force. No interest or late fees would accrue between the disaster declaration and the completion of the renegotiation, a period the draft caps at 90 days. Lenders could also offer additional voluntary relief, such as grace periods or special interest rates, provided the terms are no more burdensome for the consumer and the measures are not applied as a blanket restructuring practice rather than case-by-case review.

Credits refinanced under the program would keep the risk rating they carried before the disaster was declared, with credit-bureau reporting frozen for up to 12 months after the refinancing is completed, and the draft specifies the refinancing would not count as a modification or restructuring for prudential reporting purposes. Lenders would also be permitted to use alternative data sources to assess a borrower’s future repayment capacity, accounting for the likely economic recovery of the borrower’s sector.

Insurers, fund managers and severance withdrawals

Insurance companies would be required to establish expedited claims and payment channels for policyholders in affected areas, prioritize payment of healthcare providers’ invoices tied to the disaster, and adopt policies to facilitate premium payments, including for policies unrelated to credit operations. Trust companies and brokerage firms would be asked to evaluate mechanisms to speed redemptions from open-end investment funds without a minimum holding period, and to consider waiving early-redemption penalties for funds that carry one, for consumers affected by the disaster. Severance-fund administrators would be instructed to expedite housing-related severance withdrawals for affected members, within the bounds of Colombia’s existing severance-withdrawal rules.

The draft also directs supervised entities more broadly to maintain continuity of financial services where security conditions allow, disclose any changes to branch hours or closures, strengthen digital channels, and activate business-continuity plans in affected zones; to clearly publicize the terms of any relief programs; and to set up priority service channels for complaints and claims tied to the disaster. The SFC said it would establish its own priority contact channel to help affected consumers navigate complaints against supervised entities.

In its internal cost-benefit review, the SFC’s research and analysis unit found no reason to delay the proposal, concluding that reduced default risk, faster insurance payouts and improved liquidity access for affected consumers would outweigh the compliance costs institutions face in adapting systems, training staff and expanding service channels. The regulator said the draft requires no new budget appropriations and can be implemented with existing staff and technology. It also said a competition-impact questionnaire it completed under Colombia’s competition-advocacy rules returned entirely negative responses, meaning no referral to the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (Superintendency of Industry and Commerce) was required.

A two-day window, and a toll still being counted

The SFC set the unusually short two-business-day comment window under an exception in Colombian regulatory procedure that allows shortened public consultation periods when a rule responds to urgent, unforeseeable circumstances. The regulator said the scale of the disaster and the need for a prompt, uniform response from the financial sector justified the shortened timeline. Comments can be submitted using a standard form referencing filing number 2026182440, by email to normativa@superfinanciera.gov.co or in writing to the SFC’s deputy director of regulation. If adopted, the circular would take effect upon publication and would remain in force for as long as the national disaster declaration stands, though any relief already granted to consumers would continue on its own terms after the circular expires.

Colombia has also drawn $1.3 billion USD in international pledges since the earthquake struck. The comment window closes before search-and-rescue operations are expected to conclude, and the casualty figures the SFC cites as justification for the rule are themselves preliminary and likely to keep changing.

Above photo – Damage in Pereira, Colombia (Photo: Vance Campbell)

The Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MinCIT) has completed the national evaluation stage to select the country’s candidates for the UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages 2026. This initiative is a global program that recognizes rural destinations for cultural preservation, sustainability, and tourism development.

From an initial pool of 27 municipalities across 13 departments, eight were selected to advance to Colombia’s official international nomination phase, which will be submitted by the ministry’s technical team to UN Tourism.

“Twenty-seven municipalities from 13 departments participated, with proposals that reflect the diversity, richness, and commitment of Colombia’s rural territories.” – Diana Marcela Morales Rojas, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism

The Minister added that the selection process had a technical evaluation and qualitative assessment before identifying the final eight candidates.

The Best Tourism Villages initiative, led by UN Tourism, recognizes rural destinations that preserve their cultural and natural heritage. the goal is to use tourism to support sustainable economic and social development.

The eight shortlisted municipalities now move to the international nomination stage, where they will represent Colombia in UN Tourism’s annual selection process.

Consaca in Narino (Photo: Alcaldía)

Located on the slopes of the Galeras volcano, Consacá combines high-altitude coffee production with traditional craftsmanship. The municipality is recognized for its toquilla-straw handicrafts and its historical connection to independence-era battles in the region.

(Photo: Alcaldía de El Peñón)

El Peñón is a rural municipality in Santander known for its natural landscapes, caves, and agricultural traditions. Its tourism proposal highlights the connection between local communities, farming activities, and the quiet rural experiences offered by its mountain surroundings.

Jericó in Antioquia (Photo: Alcaldía de Jericó)

Surrounded by the Western Cordillera in Antioquia, Jericó combines coffee culture, historic architecture, and deep-rooted traditions. The municipality is known for its flower-lined balconies, religious heritage, and as the birthplace of the carriel, the traditional leather satchel that has become one of the region’s most distinctive symbols.

Marulanda in Caldas (Photo: Alcaldía de Marulanda)

Surrounded by high-altitude páramos in Caldas, Marulanda preserves a rural identity built around sheep farming, wool craftsmanship, and traditional textile production. The municipality also maintains its arriería (muleteer) heritage, connecting its cultural traditions with the mountain landscapes that shape its tourism offer.

(Photo: Alcaldía de Norcasia)

Shaped by rivers descending from the Central Cordillera, Norcasia in Caldas blends cacao production, biodiversity, and adventure tourism with community-led initiatives. Its natural surroundings provide a setting for ecotourism experiences while local traditions remain central to the municipality’s tourism identity.

(Photo: Alcaldía de Paicol)

Often called La Puerta del Viento (The Gateway of the Wind), Paicol in Huila combines natural attractions with deep-rooted cultural traditions. The municipality’s caves, cacao production, and Semana Santa celebrations form part of a tourism offer that connects local heritage, landscapes, and community experiences.

(Photo: Alcaldía de Sesquilé)

Tied to the legend of El Dorado, Sesquilé in Cundinamarca offers a unique connection between ancestral heritage, nature, and rural tourism. Located near Lake Guatavita, the municipality works to preserve its páramo ecosystems and traditional knowledge while showcasing the landscapes that have shaped its cultural identity.

The 15-year-old who shot Uribe on June 7 in Bogotá has been sentenced to seven years in a juvenile detention center for attempted homicide, the Attorney General’s Office reported on August 27.

The teenager pleaded guilty before Uribe died of his injuries on August 11, which prevented prosecutors from upgrading the charge to homicide, since Colombian law prohibits changes to charges once a formal accusation is filed against a minor. Five adults have also been arrested in connection with the case.

Authorities have suggested that the Second Marquetalia, a dissident faction of the demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – FARC), could have had a hand in Uribe’s killing, but have yet to present concrete evidence. National Police Director Carlos Fernando Triana first suggested a connection to the group in July, and Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez Suárez repeated the claim in August after Uribe’s death.

SEE ALSO: Colombia-Venezuela Border Killing Hints at Growing Guerrilla Conflict

The link to the group is vague, and via one of the five people arrested in connection with Uribe’s murder.

That’s Elder José Arteaga Hernández, alias “El Costeño,” who allegedly began working as a hired assassin after meeting a former FARC fighter known as “Daniel” in prison in 2019, according to police sources cited by Colombian newspaper El Espectador.

Daniel, once a member of the Teófilo Forero Mobile Column, an elite FARC unit behind some of the group’s most notorious attacks, has reportedly been helping rebuild the column within the Second Marquetalia in southern Huila and northern Caquetá, according to Colombian newspaper El Colombiano. Therefore, he would serve as a potential bridge between the Second Marquetalia and the Uribe assassination.

Two other suspects currently in custody also appear tied to Caquetá, where the Teófilo Forero Column is allegedly reorganizing. Katerine Andrea Martínez Martínez, alias “Gabriela,” who supplied the minor with the weapon to shoot Uribe, was arrested in Florencia in June, while Carlos Eduardo Mora González has faced an arms trafficking case before a Florencia court since 2024.

Nearly three months after the shooting of Turbay, investigators have yet to clarify who ordered the crime. The arrests point to a network of low- and mid-level operatives with ties to FARC dissident circles, but no clear political motive has emerged.

However, the available evidence suggests the focus on the Second Marquetalia may be misplaced. Once a feared rebel faction, the group is now among Colombia’s weakest armed organizations, having had its leadership decimated over the past five years.

Luciano Marín Arango, alias “Iván Márquez,” the group’s leader, was seriously injured in a 2022 attack, prompting repeated reports of his death. He resurfaced in 2024 through a video and later a public appearance, confirming he was alive, though widely believed to be in poor health.

Other senior figures have also been eliminated. Seuxis Pausías Hernández Solarte, alias “Jesús Santrich,” who co-founded the Second Marquetalia with Márquez after rejecting the 2016 peace deal, was killed in 2021. That same year, commanders Hernán Darío Velásquez, alias “El Paisa,” and Henry Castellanos Garzón, alias “Romaña,” were killed in Venezuela’s Apure state. Most recently, in August 2025, José Manuel Sierra Sabogal, alias “Zarco Aldinever,” one of Márquez’s key lieutenants, was also killed in Venezuela.

SEE ALSO: Who Was Behind the Attempted Hit on a Colombian Presidential Hopeful?

As well as these losses, the Second Marquetalia suffered a major rift in November 2024. The Border Command (Comandos de la Frontera – CDF) and the Pacific Guerrilla Coordinating Committee (Coordinadora Guerrillera del Pacífico – CGP), two of its most influential factions operating in Nariño and Putumayo, announced they were breaking away after disagreements over the group’s stance in peace talks with the government.

Given the group’s fragile internal state and mounting competition from rival criminal actors, authorities have yet to present evidence of any clear motive for the Second Marquetalia to order such an assassination.

Nonetheless, the lack of clarity about the attack underscores the risks heading into Colombia’s elections next year. Uribe’s assassination sets a precedent that could embolden other armed groups to use targeted political violence as leverage. With organized crime interests tied to the continuation of peace talks and possible judicial benefits stemming from negotiations, the next electoral cycle may see criminal actors intervening more directly in politics through violence.

This article, written by Henry Shuldiner, was originally published by InSight Crime, a Medellín-based foundation dedicated to the investigation and analysis of crime and security in Colombia and Latin America. It has been generously shared with Finance Colombia under a Creative Commons license.

In the first six months of this year, that region exported $624.2 million USD in non-mining energy goods, compared to $416.2 million USD the previous year.
The product that boosted foreign sales in this department was coffee. Huila exported $589.8 million USD of the grain between January and June and registered a growth of 67.3%, compared to 2024.

The export of fresh tilapia also performed well, $7.3 million, for an increase of 10.8%. And the traditional achiras, which a year ago did not register sales to the world, but in the first six months of this year were exported for a value of $64,525 USD.
The main destinations of Huila goods were: the United States, Canada, Belgium, Germany, and Japan.

Tilapia. Photo credit: 6809042 from Pixabay.

This value also represented more than half, 52.7%, of everything that Colombia sold to the world in those six months.

“The behavior of what the country exported in the first six months of the year in products other than oil and coal, ratifies not only the behavior that non-mining exports have been registering for months, but also that step by step we are advancing in the transformation of the productive fabric and the diversification of the export basket. From the commerce, industry, and tourism sector, we continue to provide entrepreneurs in the regions with all the instruments and institutional offer to guarantee the sophistication and expansion of the offer,” said the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, Diana Marcela Morales Rojas.

In volume, shipments also continue to increase. Between January and June, there were 5.1 million tons, for a growth of 9.6% compared to the first half of 2024. Within the non-mining basket, the exports that had the greatest weight in the period of analysis were those of the agricultural sector, which accounted for 43.7% ($5.615.9 million USD) and grew 36%.

Products such as coffee stand out, whose exports in the 6 months grew 81.3%; flowers, 9.9%; bananas, 6.2%; Hass avocado, 27.6%; Tahiti lemon, 15.7%, and gulupa, 23.3%, among others. The second most representative group of products of exports of non-mining goods in the period was industry, which participated with 40.8% ($5.252 million USD) of this basket and a growth of 5%.

Exports of aluminum doors, windows, and their frames stood out, among others, with an increase of 9.5%; insecticides, 18.8%; electrical transformers, 12.9%; medicines, 9.3%; and beauty preparations, 3.7%. Products from the agribusiness sector, which accounted for 15.5% ($1.989.7 million USD) of the non-mining energy export basket, registered an increase in sales of 37%.

Products such as palm oil, whose exports grew 64.1%; coffee extracts and essences with an increase of 45.7%; sugar, 14.3%; cocoa and its derivatives, 87.3%, and bakery products, 8.7%, among others, boosted the sector’s performance.

90.4% of exports of non-mining energy products were made from nine Colombian regions: Antioquia, from where they grew 25.9%; Bogotá, which increased 16.5%; Cundinamarca, 16.5%; Valle del Cauca, 14.8%; Atlántico, 6.6%; Bolívar, 9%; Caldas, 47.3%; Magdalena, 45% and Huila.

The latter was the one that reported the highest increase, with 50%. Its non-mining foreign sales totaled $624.2 million USD in the first six months of the year, marked by coffee.

In June alone, the country exported $2.112.6 million USD in non-mining products, which represented an increase of 20.4%. In volume, 774,248 tons were shipped for an increase of 9.6%.

Avocados. Photo credit: JohnyVid from Pixabay.

This is clear from the analysis made by this ministry based on figures published by DANE, which establishes that non-mining energy exports grew 22% compared to the same period in 2024. And if the volume shipped is reviewed, it was 4.32 million tons for an increase of 9.6% compared to January-May 2024.

Within the basket of non-mining energy goods, those with the greatest weight are industrial goods, which accounted for 55.9% ($6.011.2 million USD) and grew 12.2% in 2024. Those in the agricultural sector participated with 43.9% of that basket and increased by 37.2%.

In the period of analysis, when evaluating the main export products of the non-mining pie, several contributed to boost this growth. The following stand out: coffee, whose foreign sales increased 89%; palm oil with 63.7%; coffee extracts with 36.8%;hass avocado with 24.7%, and polypropylene with 21.9%.

Likewise, beauty preparations had an important behavior and contributed to growth, 6.3%; flowers, 5.7%; bananas, 5.4%; electrical transformers, 4.7% and doors, windows, and their frames, 4.3%, among others.

By regions

About the 9 departments that export the most non-mining energy goods and that represent 90.5% of this basket, all registered increases in their sales.

In the case of Antioquia, which is the department that has the most weight in this type of foreign sales, it registered a growth of 24.8%; it is followed by Bogotá with 15.4%; those of Cundinamarca grew 15.9%; those of Valle del Cauca 16.2%; those of Atlántico 5%; those of Bolívar 10.7%; those of Caldas 44.2%; those of Huila 72.3% and those of Magdalena 44.1%.

Coffee from Colombia. Photo credit: Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MinCIT)

Between January and March of this year, the country exported $6.140 million USD in these products (agro, agro-industrial, and industrial), a growth of 23.5% compared to the same period in 2024 when these sales reached $4.970.7 million USD.

They also increase in volume. In the first three months of this year, the country shipped 2.3 million tons to the world, which meant a growth of 6%, compared to the same period in 2024 when 2.2 million tons were shipped.

One of the strategies of the foreign trade policy of the Government of Change in which we work is to facilitate instruments and programs for the sophistication, diversification and promotion of the export basket, this through the assets of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, in such a way that the expansion of the national supply is guaranteed. Especially non-mining energy goods.

The analysis of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism indicates that, in the first quarter of this year, although industrial goods – including agro-industrial goods – accounted for more than half (54.5%) of this type of sales and grew 12.9%, it was agricultural products, which weigh 45.5%, that most boosted the behavior of non-mining exports. With a growth of 39.4%.

In this way, there were several products that helped to drive the growth of these sales. There are, for example: coffee, which registered double sales than a year ago and increased 100.8%; coffee extracts with 47.6%; palm oil, 29.3%; insecticides 22.1%; polypropylene, 21.3%; beauty preparations, 17.9%; various fruits, 17.7%; polychloride, 14%; electrical transformers, 11.6%, and flowers 9%, among many other products.

The departments

The nine main product export departments, which represent 89.9% of this basket, registered growth, some more than others.

Among those that registered the highest growth, and that have the lowest participation, were Huila with a positive variation of 82.9%, marked by coffee. Caldas registered an increase of 65.6%, also driven by coffee and coffee extracts and essences, mainly.

Magdalena’s non-mining exports increased 35.8%, marked by vegetable oils. Antioquia, which is the second department with the highest participation, after Bogotá, reported an increase of 24.5%, led by coffee and flowers.

Finally, among the 10 main destinations for this class of products, those that increased the most were Canada with 72.6%, Germany, 64.6%, Venezuela, 37.3%, Belgium, 32.8%, and the United States, 29.4%.

Photo credit: MINCIT.

The value exported in the first four months of this year registered an increase of 23.5% compared to January-April of last year, when $6.851.5 million USD were exported. In volume, 3.3 million tons were shipped, which represented 9.8% more than a year ago.

The different entities attached to and linked to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism provide and make available to entrepreneurs instruments and programs to support them in the sophistication and diversification of the non-mining export basket, with goods of greater added value. Likewise, work is being done to expand the markets for these products.

According to the ministry’s analysis, within the non-mining basket between January and April, the sector that had the highest growth was agriculture, with 41.32% compared to a year ago. The amount exported reached $3.786.9 million USD.
Among the products that helped drive growth in the period are coffee, with an increase of 96.9%; gulupa, 39.3%; Hass avocado, 16.7%; flowers, 9.5%; Tahiti lemon, 8.6%; and bananas, 6.2%.

For its part, exports of industrial products totaled $3.399.3 million USD and grew 5.3% compared to the previous year. Exports included goods such as: perfumes and toilet waters, which grew 18.4%; insecticides, 16.1%; electrical transformers, 13.4%; beauty preparations, 7.8%; plastics and their manufactures, 7.1%, and doors, windows, and their frames, 3.2%.

In agribusiness, foreign sales reached $1.277.2 million USD for an increase of 35.6%. Among the products of this sector that contributed to the result of the non-mining basket with their exports are, among others: cocoa and its preparations with an increase of 114.5%; palm oil, 67.6%; beverages, including water and alcoholic beverages, 47.9%; coffee extracts and essences, 39.1%; bakery and pastry products, 14.5%, and sugar, 7.4%.

By region

The main 10 departments from which non-mining goods are shipped to the world, which, due to their participation in this basket, represented 93.2%, and within these, the one that registered the highest growth in these foreign sales in the period of analysis was Huila with a variation of 83.8%. This region accounts for 5.4% of these exports.

It was followed by Caldas, whose non-mining foreign sales increased 53.9%. This department has a share in this group of 5.4%.

The third-highest growth of this top 10 is in Magdalena with a variation of 48.6%, which represents 4.7% of the country’s non-mining energy basket.

It was followed by Antioquia with an increase of 26.4%. This, together with Bogotá (whose exports grew 17.8%), is the main origin of non-mining foreign sales. In the period of analysis, these regions accounted for 19.3% each.

Photo credit: MINCIT.

Health authorities are urgently calling on everyone in Colombia to get vaccinated against yellow fever starting at nine months of age, including individuals over 59 years old. Between September 2024 and now, 75 confirmed cases and 34 deaths have been reported nationwide, representing a cumulative fatality rate of 45.3%.

Confirmed cases are distributed across nine departments: Tolima (59 cases), Putumayo (7), Nariño (2), Caquetá (2), Huila (1), Vaupés (1), Cauca (1), Meta (1), and Caldas (1). Fatalities associated with the disease have been recorded in eight departments: Tolima (23 deaths), Putumayo (5), Caquetá (1), Nariño (1), Caldas (1), Cauca (1), Huila (1), and Meta (1).

Yellow fever is a viral illness transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Initial symptoms within the first 24 hours can include fever, headache, and general malaise. In the subsequent 72 hours, symptoms often intensify with gastrointestinal manifestations such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. From the fifth day onwards, signs like jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and bleeding may occur, which can be fatal in unvaccinated individuals. The disease is highly preventable through vaccination, with a reported fatality rate ranging between 40% and 50%.

Colombia is implementing an urgent, free, door-to-door vaccine program to prevent the gruesome disease from spreading via mosquitos.

Since September 2024, the National Government has implemented a series of strategic actions to control the spread of yellow fever and protect public health:

• Intensified Vaccination Strategy: The age range for immunization has been expanded to include individuals from 9 months of age and older, with mass mobilization efforts in affected municipalities.
• Strengthened Epidemiological Surveillance: Over 20 rapid response teams have been deployed for active community case finding and field investigations. Entomovirological, pathological, and laboratory surveillance has also been reinforced through the national reference laboratory of the National Health Institute (Instituto Nacional de Salud).
• Expanded Primary Care: More than 100 Basic Health Care Teams (Equipos Básicos de Atención en Salud – EBAS) have been activated in municipalities with confirmed virus presence.
• Coordination with Health Promotion Entities (EPS) and Vaccination Networks: Health Promotion Entities (Entidades Promotoras de Salud – EPS) have been instructed to establish and operate vaccination teams in coordination with the public and private healthcare network in all affected territories.
• Territorial Coordination through Unified Command Posts (PMU): Twenty-two PMU sessions have been held in the department of Tolima, one in Caldas, and one at the national level, involving local, departmental, and national authorities. Additionally, an extraordinary session of the Risk Management Committee was convened in Huila.
• National Communication and Education Campaign: An information and education strategy has been activated to promote vaccination, self-care, and vector control nationwide.
• Clear Technical Guidelines for the Health System: Circulars with precise instructions for all actors in the national and territorial health system have been issued, disseminated, and technically supported.

The outbreak has demonstrated a progressive expansion, particularly in areas of the Amazon basin, the Magdalena River valley, and departments such as Meta, within a short period. Cases have also emerged in territories with no historical records of the disease, such as the municipality of Neira in Caldas, located in the coffee-growing region.

While urban transmission of yellow fever has not been reported in Colombia since 1929, there is a potential risk of re-emergence due to the frequent entry of individuals into enzootic areas—where the virus circulates in its sylvatic cycle through Sabethes and Haemagogus mosquito species—and their subsequent movement to urban zones below 2,200 meters above sea level, inhabited by urban cycle transmitting species such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

Epidemiological monitoring has identified cases in populated centers and urban peripheries of municipalities with low population density, indicating a risk of expansion into larger urban centers. Given this scenario, vaccination remains the most effective tool for controlling yellow fever. Analysis of fatal cases has shown that the deceased individuals were unvaccinated, underscoring the urgency of increasing vaccination coverage. Territorial entities must prioritize immunization of the entire population over 9 months of age in high-risk municipalities and strengthen the intensification strategy in the rest of the country.

The Minister of Health and Social Protection (Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social), Dr. Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo, stated, “With the declaration of the yellow fever emergency, we are intensifying actions to protect the entire population. Our Basic Health Teams, totaling more than 10,000, continue to travel to vaccinate all people in the most remote areas of the country, especially in high-risk zones. The vaccine is free, safe, and administered in a single dose, at least 10 days before entering risk areas.”

The Minister also added that door-to-door campaigns, vaccination drives in educational institutions, transportation terminals, military and police facilities, and other collective spaces will be strengthened. Furthermore, mosquito control measures will be reinforced, and immediate access to healthcare services without barriers will be guaranteed.

Considering the above, and within the framework of the declared health emergency, the following measures are adopted at the national level to contain the yellow fever outbreak, protect the lives of the population, and ensure a coordinated response from the health system:

• Mass Vaccination: A national mass mobilization will commence in high-risk municipalities and extend to the rest of the national territory. The vaccine is free, safe, administered in a single dose, and should be received 10 days before entering risk areas. Strategies will include door-to-door campaigns and vaccination in educational institutions, transportation terminals, military and police facilities, and other collective spaces.
• Integrated Vector (Mosquito) Control: Actions to control mosquitoes in homes, communities, healthcare facilities, and high-traffic areas such as market squares and terminals will be intensified. Mosquito nets will also be distributed in high-risk rural areas.
• Immediate Deployment of Basic Health Teams and Rapid Response Teams: These teams will play a crucial role in case identification, community education, epidemiological monitoring, and vaccine administration, bringing services closer to the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.
• Centralized Management of Health Services: Regional Emergency and Disaster Centers (Centros Reguladores de Urgencias y Emergencias – CRUE) will assume control of the availability of Intensive Care Units (ICU) and patient transfers.
• Obligations of Health Promotion Entities (EPS): EPS are required to allocate all necessary technical and financial resources through their public, private, and mixed networks to guarantee vaccination, prevention, and care for their entire affiliated population. Prior authorization from EPS for the provision of health services is not required.
• National Hospital Alert: A yellow hospital alert is activated throughout the public, private, and mixed healthcare network nationwide. This will be elevated to orange alert in municipalities with human cases and, if justified, to red alert, based on the analysis conducted by the territorial entity with the support of the Ministry of Health and the National Health Institute.
• Mobility Restrictions: Local authorities may implement access restrictions to areas with active virus transmission, following established protocols and in coordination with police forces. The protection of medical personnel during these operations will be guaranteed.
• Requirement of International Vaccination Certificate for Travelers: In compliance with the International Health Regulations, international travelers entering the country may be required to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate. The vaccine must have been administered at least 10 days before entering risk areas. (This measure will be adjusted based on World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations to avoid impacting tourism and trade).
• Culture of Prevention: Citizens are urged to adopt self-care measures, eliminate mosquito breeding sites in their surroundings, and seek timely vaccination. In particular, residents of municipalities located below 2,200 meters above sea level are advised to use insect repellent, mosquito nets, and clothing that covers the skin as personal protection measures against the yellow fever transmitting mosquito.
• Risk Management Committees: Departmental, district, and municipal territorial entities located in high-risk areas will convene risk management committees to adopt comprehensive control and risk management plans.

The director of the National Health Institute, Diana Marcela Pava, reiterated the duty to protect the health and lives of Colombians. “The measure to declare a health emergency was subjected to a rigorous risk assessment exercise, which is an internationally validated process to establish the level of risk the country is facing,” explained the director, adding that “thanks to this exercise, the measures announced by the Ministry of Health were taken.”

The Vice Minister of Public Health, Jaime Urrego, stated, “This emergency has a preventive emphasis. The vaccine saves lives, and this emergency reminds us that we must take extreme precautions. There are two key points: the change in the behavior of the disease and the risk of urbanization, especially in municipalities below 2,200 meters where we must vaccinate the entire population. We are not seeking to generate fear but to act jointly with experts to stop yellow fever.”

The General Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Rodolfo Salas, affirmed, “Colombia is a social state governed by the rule of law, where the right to life and health prevails. According to Article 69 of Law 1753 of 2015, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection is the competent governing body to declare a health emergency in the event of epidemics that endanger the public health of the country. This virus is showing rapid transmission, so we call on the competent authorities to take the necessary measures to prevent its spread.”

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection calls for the shared responsibility of all actors in the health system, territorial authorities, and the community in general to confront this emergency and protect lives.

Information for Travelers and Individuals in Risk Areas:

Yellow fever is transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes. These mosquitoes typically bite during the day. For travelers and residents in areas below 2,200 meters above sea level, especially those in the departments with reported cases, the following precautions are recommended:

• Vaccination: The yellow fever vaccine is highly effective and provides lifelong protection with a single dose. It is recommended to receive the vaccine at least 10 days before traveling to or residing in risk areas. The vaccine is available free of charge in affected municipalities for individuals over 9 months of age.
• Insect Repellent: Use insect repellent containing DEET.  Follow the instructions on the product label.  
• Protective Clothing: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes when outdoors, especially during peak mosquito biting times.
• Mosquito Nets: Use mosquito nets (bed nets), especially if sleeping outdoors or in unscreened accommodations. Permethrin-treated nets offer additional protection.
• Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites: Regularly empty and clean containers that can hold water, such as flowerpots, tires, buckets, and pet water dishes, around your home to prevent mosquito breeding.
• Seek Medical Attention: If you develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or jaundice, especially after being in a risk area, seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis and supportive care can improve outcomes.
• International Travel Requirements: Travelers entering Colombia from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission may be required to present an international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever, as per the International Health Regulations. It is advisable to check the latest requirements before traveling. Similarly, travelers departing from Colombia to certain countries may also need proof of vaccination.

The current health emergency underscores the importance of vaccination and preventive measures to mitigate the risk of yellow fever transmission in Colombia. Residents and travelers in affected areas should adhere to the recommendations of health authorities to protect themselves and prevent further spread of the virus.

Photos © Loren Moss

“Sustainable tourism is a powerful tool for transformation in the territories, generating opportunities and conditions for peace. For this reason, Switzerland supports this chain in Colombia, a country with extraordinary natural and cultural wealth,” said the Swiss ambassador, Eric Mayoraz.

The program impacts 13 destinations in the departments of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira, Sucre, Cundinamarca, Quindío, Casanare, Antioquia, Huila, Putumayo, Meta, Boyacá, Guaviare and Caquetá, promoting the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector. To date, the achievements have been significant: more than 1,000 jobs generated and retained in four key destinations (Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, and Quindío), 357 companies with an 81% increase in revenues, and a 400% increase in tourist spending in these territories.

In environmental management, 80 companies have adopted good practices, and 55 people have been trained in methodologies for competitive and sustainable destinations, consolidating an innovative model of cooperation and development. “Swisscontact strengthens tourism in Colombia with a market approach, ensuring that destinations develop an offer aligned with demand and access tools and knowledge that position them as benchmarks in sustainability and competitiveness,” said Claudia Sepúlveda, general coordinator of the Colombia Más Competitiva program.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, in 2024, Colombia received approximately 6.7 million tourists, 8.5% more than the previous year. A growing percentage of these visitors are looking for ecotourism and responsible tourism experiences, which represents a unique opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of destinations and incorporate sustainability criteria.

“Tourism in Colombia not only depends on its natural wealth, but also on its ability to generate value in the markets. We are promoting the necessary conditions for regions to transform their potential into real opportunities for growth and international projection,” concluded Enrique Maruri, director of Swisscontact Colombia.
Swisscontact at ANATO 2025: sharing experiences and learnings.

In the ANATO 2025 Tourism Showcase, the Colombia Más Competitiva program will present its main learnings together with local partners, who will share the impact of Swiss cooperation in their territories. One of the most relevant milestones is the strengthening of the Network of Destination Managers, whose official presentation will take place in April.

As part of ANATO’s academic program, Swisscontact, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Santa Marta and Magdalena, organized the panel “Territorial perspectives in the competitive management of sustainable tourism” at the stand of Magdalena, a special guest destination in 2025. Entrepreneurs and members of the Network of Managers will discuss governance, sustainability, and product development.

Swisscontact’s destination management methodology has articulated the private sector around the creation and marketing of highly competitive tourism experiences. As a result, nature and culture products have been developed, such as the Safari Llanero in Casanare, Macondo Natural in Magdalena, and San Agustín Enigmático in Huila, among others. In addition, entrepreneurs and managers have received support to implement strategies aligned with the standards of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

This impact has been possible thanks to public-private articulation at the local, regional, and national levels. Swisscontact has promoted the creation of networks, cluster strategies, and territorial governance models, making progress in destinations such as La Guajira, Quindío, Choachí-Ubaque in Cundinamarca and Atlántico. In addition, it will facilitate an exchange between representatives of the 13 destinations of the Network of Managers to identify trends and improve the marketing of tourism products.

According to Enrique Maruri, director of Swisscontact Colombia, “Nature tourism is one of the great bets of Swiss cooperation in Colombia, and we believe in its potential to promote sustainable development. At Swisscontact, we continue to work on the structuring of collective management models that strengthen tourism products and services, always in partnership with the private sector. Our goal is to consolidate ourselves as a benchmark in consulting for the competitiveness and sustainability of tourism in the country.”

For Swisscontact, it is also key to continue strengthening responsible tourism through innovative methodologies and strategic alliances with actors such as the GSTC, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MinCIT), the National Tourism Fund (FONTUR), the Colombian Association of Responsible Tourism (ACOTUR) and Chambers of Commerce throughout the country, said Enrique.

Photo credit: ANATO.