President Gustavo Petro ordered the transfer of national funds to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) on Tuesday, July 22 [1].

The move comes as Colombia faces the severe effects of the El Niño phenomenon. The government intends to use these resources to mitigate climate impacts and prevent a potential mass power outage across the country [1, 2].

Reports on the exact amount of the transfer vary. Some sources state the amount is four trillion pesos, approximately 970 million dollars [1, 2]. However, RCN Televisión reported the amount as one trillion pesos [3].

The decision has sparked criticism regarding the legality of the transfer and the limited time available for the government to execute the spending. According to RCN Televisión, there are only 10 days remaining in the current administration [3].

Petro addressed these concerns by emphasizing the necessity of the funds for public safety. "The order given by me is not to steal a single peso," Petro said [1].

The UNGRD is responsible for coordinating the national response to natural disasters. The urgency of the El Niño phenomenon has forced the administration to shift budget priorities to ensure the stability of the national energy grid, and protect vulnerable regions from drought and fire [2].

“"The order given by me is not to steal a single peso"”

This emergency budget reallocation highlights the tension between immediate climate crisis management and fiscal oversight. By transferring significant sums to the UNGRD during the final days of his term, Petro is prioritizing disaster prevention over traditional budgetary timelines, which may lead to legal challenges regarding how the funds are disbursed and audited after the administration ends.