# IMF Warns Colombia Over 3.5% Deficit

> IMF says Colombia's fiscal situation unsustainable with 3.5% primary deficit and 60% debt.
- Title: IMF Warns Colombia Over 3.5% Deficit · The Rio Times
- Summary: IMF says Colombia's fiscal situation unsustainable with 3.5% primary deficit and 60% debt. IMF warns Colombia's public finances are unsustainable with 3.5%…
- Keywords: imf, colombia, primary deficit, debt, fiscal situation, gdp, unemployment, inflation, bogota, nigel chalk, western hemisphere department, article iv consultation
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/imf-warns-colombia-fiscal-situation-unsustainable-2026
- Author: Lucía Martínez
- Published: 2026-10-18T06:39:06+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: imf, colombia, primary deficit, debt, fiscal situation, gdp, unemployment, inflation, bogota, nigel chalk, western hemisphere department, article iv consultation
## IMF Warning
The IMF warns Colombia that its public finances are on an unsustainable path with a primary deficit of 3.5% of GDP and debt of 60%.

> This situation is neither sustainable nor viable.
## Who Says It
Nigel Chalk, head of the IMF's Western Hemisphere Department, made the warning at a press conference in Bangkok on October 16, 2026.
## Why It Matters
US investors in Colombian bonds and peso assets read the IMF's language closely as it impacts their financial decisions.
## What Happened
The warning came from the IMF's annual meetings in Bangkok, days after its October outlook and weeks before a mission to Bogotá.
## The Numbers
The Fund sees Colombian growth at 2.2% in 2026, 2.3% in 2027, inflation averaging 6%, and unemployment rising from 8% to 10%.
## Debt Levels
Colombia's debt is 60% of GDP, with the primary deficit at 3.5% of GDP, both figures rising.
## What Support
The IMF is considering policy advice, technical assistance, or potentially financing for Colombia with a mission due in early November.
## What It Means
The warning frames how US bondholders and companies with Colombian exposure judge the next steps for financial stability.
## Still Open
Colombia has not yet asked for IMF financing, and the mission's outcome remains uncertain.
## What's Next
An IMF mission arrives in Bogotá in early November for an Article IV consultation to assess Colombia's economic health.
## Why Now
The warning follows weeks of talks between Colombian officials and the IMF, including a visit by Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke in late September.
## The Context
Colombia is led by President Abelardo de la Espriella since August 7, 2026, with a large South American economy exporting oil, coal, and coffee.
## Key takeaway

IMF warns Colombia's public finances are unsustainable with 3.5% primary deficit and 60% debt.