President Gustavo Petro has escalated tensions with local government leaders, issuing a stern ultimatum to mayors and the governor of Santander amidst a growing peasant strike over property tax increases. In a series of directives issued on Monday, April 13, 2026, the Colombian president warned that mayors who fail to propose tax relief for the poor or who allow the disruption of public order will be removed from their positions.
The conflict centers on a “paro campesino” (peasant strike) triggered by a sharp rise in cadastral appraisals—the official valuation of land used to determine property taxes. Protesters in several regions argue that these increases are excessive and unjust, threatening the livelihoods of minor-scale farmers and low-income homeowners. The unrest has manifested in road blockades and protests across Santander, Boyacá, Norte de Santander, and Cundinamarca according to reports from April 13, 2026.
Speaking directly to the crisis, President Petro shifted the responsibility for the unrest onto territorial authorities, asserting that the power to set tax rates rests with municipal councils, not the national government. He explicitly targeted the Governor of Santander, Mayor General (r) Juvenal Díaz, accusing the official of misleading the public by claiming the tax issues were a national problem rather than a local administrative one.
Ultimatum to Municipal Leaders
The president’s warning to local mayors was unequivocal: those who do not take immediate action to resolve the tax grievances risk their employment. Petro stated that mayors are responsible for fixing the property tax rate and must now create new agreements to lower the burden on rural and urban owners, specifically targeting the poor and working-class populations.
“Alcaldes que no presenten las iniciativas de acuerdo y alteran el orden público, salen de inmediato de su cargo por orden mía,” the president declared, setting a deadline of April 13, 2026, for these initiatives to be prepared and for barricades—specifically mentioning those in Cartagena—to be lifted per official statements.
While Petro clarified that he does not intend to imprison protesters, he emphasized that mayors, as public servants, are accountable to him. He remarked, “No sacaré los ojos a nadie, no los pondré presos, pero los alcaldes, como servidores públicos, me responden” as reported on April 13, 2026.
The Dispute Over Cadastral Appraisals
At the heart of the “paro campesino” is the increase in cadastral appraisals (avalúos catastrales). These appraisals are used to determine the value of a property, which in turn dictates the amount of property tax (impuesto predial) a citizen must pay. When appraisals rise significantly, the resulting tax bill can become unaffordable for small-scale producers and low-income families.
President Petro defended the necessity of updating these appraisals, stating that the increases are required by law and are aligned with the national peace agreement. Yet, he argued that the application of the tax rate should be redistributive. He called on mayors and municipal councils to implement a tiered system where the wealthiest landowners bear a higher burden.
Specifically, the president urged authorities to establish higher tax rates for:
- Non-productive estates (haciendas no productivas).
- Urban land speculation lots (lotes de engorde).
Conversely, he demanded lower rates for small agricultural producers, poor peasants, and homeowners in socio-economic strata 1, 2, and 3 per reports from April 13, 2026. Petro summarized his objective by stating that “the goal of the government is that the rich pay taxes.”
Regional Unrest and Political Friction
The scale of the protests has created significant logistical disruptions. In regions such as Santander and Boyacá, the strike has already lasted five days as of April 13, 2026 according to verified reports. The blockades have impacted food transportation and local commerce, leading Petro to warn that the national government will not allow the food supply for Colombians to be compromised.
The situation has similarly taken on a political dimension. President Petro claimed that the strike was being organized by “Uribista militancy,” referring to supporters of former president Álvaro Uribe. He demanded that those organizing the protests withdraw and remove the blockades, warning that he would otherwise act according to the law per statements made on April 13, 2026.
The friction between the central government and regional authorities is particularly evident in the clash with Governor Juvenal Díaz. Petro asserted that the governor’s role is not to “deceive his people” by blaming the nation for local tax issues, but rather to coordinate with mayors to find a legislative solution within the municipal councils.
Key Stakeholders and Impact
| Stakeholder | Primary Grievance/Position | President Petro’s Mandate |
|---|---|---|
| Small Farmers | Excessive property tax due to higher appraisals. | Must receive lower tax rates. |
| Mayors | Administrative burden of tax collection. | Must present relief initiatives or face removal. |
| Governor of Santander | Attributed the problem to national policy. | Must stop “deceiving” the public and coordinate local relief. |
| Wealthy Landowners | Potential for higher tax burdens. | Should pay higher rates on non-productive land. |
As the deadline of April 13, 2026, passes, the focus now shifts to whether municipal councils in Santander and other affected regions will successfully pass new tax agreements. The resolution of this crisis depends on the ability of local mayors to balance the need for municipal revenue with the president’s demand for social equity in land taxation.
Further updates regarding the status of road blockades and the official response from the Federation of Municipalities are expected as the government monitors the implementation of these tax initiatives.
World Today Journal encourages readers to share their perspectives on the balance between local tax autonomy and national mandates in the comments below.