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The announcement reaffirms a credit line originally approved by the IMF in June 2016. Colombia’s policymakers say they view this as merely a precautionary source of capital.

The 25-point cut narrowly won the day among central bank board members with a 4-3 vote. All three dissenters preferred another 50-point reduction.

One analyst firm believes the move "to step up the pace of interest rate cuts is a clear response to the weakness of the recent activity data."

The IMF is predicting 2.3% GDP growth for Colombia in 2017, a decrease from the 2.7% expansion the institution had forecasted in October.

Fitch noted Colombia improving macroeconomic imbalances, current account deficit reduction, and falling inflation rate.

Replacing César Vallejo, the respected economist Ocampo will be one of the seven board members to vote during the next Banco de la República meeting in March.

The IMF lowered its 2017 projections for Brazil by 0.3% and Mexico by 0.6%.

"The slowdown in output and lower external imbalance reflect the adjustment required in the Colombian economy," said the central bank.

This marks the second straight month with no intervention, putting a definitive end to the prior 11 months of rate hikes.

The secretary's mission is to consult with Colombian officials on their plans to maintain strength in public finances in a post-conflict Colombia.