Presidential elections and changes in subsidies mark the day
Colombia is preparing for the second round of the presidential elections this Sunday, June 21, on a day that includes mobility restrictions and a broad security deployment. At the same time, the national government announced changes in the allocation of social aid and new measures to protect the energy supply in the face of the drought, while the dollar records historic low prices.
This Sunday, the presidency will be decided between candidates Abelardo De La Espriella and Iván Cepeda. In Bogotá, road closures will be implemented in the city center and around Corferias, the country's main voting center. To ensure order, especially in the Caribbean region, more than 15,000 uniformed personnel will guard the ballot boxes against potential risks from armed groups. Candidate De La Espriella has stated that his proposal is based on respect for the Constitution and national unity.
Regarding economic matters, on July 1, the Universal Income Registry (RUI) will begin to replace Sisbén, which is the current system for classifying the population and assigning state aid. This new model seeks to centralize information to deliver subsidies more accurately. There will be a transition period where each social program will define who continues to receive benefits according to the new criteria.
On the other hand, the dollar in Colombia has maintained a downward trend, reaching levels not seen since February 2020. The U.S. currency fell by more than 218 pesos in the last month, which directly impacts the cost of imported products and the finances of those who handle foreign exchange.
Given the arrival of the El Niño phenomenon—a climatic event that reduces rainfall and depletes water sources—the energy sector has activated a contingency plan in Bogotá and Cundinamarca. The measures include the protection of the reservoirs that generate electricity and the modernization of networks to avoid blackouts or service failures during the dry season.
In the local and health sphere, the National Government formalized an investment of 20 billion pesos to build a comprehensive hospital in Candelaria, Valle del Cauca, which will have specialists and modern medical equipment. In contrast, in the south of Bogotá, authorities are investigating a report of sexual abuse against a minor in a school in the locality of Bosa, a case in which other students from the institution are allegedly involved.
For more details on these topics and other news, visit the news section of our application. There you will find information on oil revenue projections in the region and details of an unusual security incident that occurred in Chile over the sale of collectible stickers.