In the final stretch of his term, Colombian president Gustavo Petro is confronting growing public disapproval, as a new survey by Atlas-Intel reveals increasing disapproval of his administration amid concerns about security, economic pressure, and government policies.
With less than five months remaining before the end of the current presidential term, the poll provides one of the clearest indicators yet of how a significant portion of the electorate is evaluating the government’s performance as Colombia approaches the final phase of this administration.
According to the survey, 53.7% of respondents disapprove of Petro’s performance as president, while roughly 35% express approval of his administration. The new figure represents a notable increase compared with the previous measurement (in February 2026), when disapproval stood at 47.9%, indicating a 5.8% rise in negative perceptions in a relatively short period of time.
In the context of political polling, such a shift suggests a meaningful change in public sentiment. But what explains this increase in dissatisfaction at this particular moment of the presidency? Is it the result of policy decisions, economic anxieties, or a broader sense of political fatigue among voters?
The survey was conducted by Atlas-Intel with financial support from Revista Semana and included 4,291 eligible voters across Colombia. Participants were selected through the firm’s digital sampling methodology known as Atlas Random Digital Recruitment (Atlas RDR).
According to the technical report, the poll has a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of approximately 2%, which places it within the standard methodological range used in national opinion research.
The data was collected between March 10 and March 12, 2026, and included respondents from all major regions of the country, from the Caribbean coast to the Andean interior and the Pacific region, as well as large metropolitan centers and smaller municipalities.
Rising disapproval in the final months of Petro’s presidency
Beyond approval ratings, the survey also sheds light on the issues that most concern Colombians today. These concerns help explain why a significant portion of the population appears to be increasingly critical of the government’s management of the country’s challenges.
Among the issues mentioned most frequently by respondents is public insecurity, cited by 13.7% of participants as one of the country’s main problems. Crime and perceptions of insecurity remain a persistent topic in the national conversation, particularly in urban areas where many residents report feeling more vulnerable to theft, extortion, and organized criminal activity.
In this context, some observers ask whether the government’s security strategy has been effective enough to address these concerns. Are Colombians seeing tangible improvements in public safety, or does the perception of insecurity continue to overshadow official efforts?
The presence of guerrilla groups and armed players also remains an important concern. About 8.4% of respondents identified guerrilla activity as a major national problem, underscoring the fact that armed conflict continues to shape the political and security landscape in several regions.
The Petro administration has promoted a broad strategy known as “total peace,” aimed at negotiating with multiple armed groups simultaneously. Supporters argue that this approach represents an attempt to tackle decades-old conflicts through dialogue and structural reform.
Critics, however, question whether negotiations alone can reduce violence in territories where illegal economies and armed groups remain deeply entrenched. Considering the survey results, another question emerges: Do citizens believe that peace initiatives are producing real security improvements on the ground?
Security, economic pressures, and social concerns shape public opinion
Economic concerns also appear prominently in the survey. About 7.7% of respondents cited high taxes and government management of the economy as one of the country’s principal problems. For many households and business owners, the debate over taxation and fiscal policy is closely tied to everyday economic realities such as the cost of living, employment opportunities, and financial stability.
Colombia, like many countries in the region, has faced economic pressures in recent years, including inflation and fluctuations in global markets. In this context, fiscal decisions often become politically sensitive. Could the perception of rising tax pressure be contributing to growing dissatisfaction with the government? And how should policymakers balance the need for public revenue with concerns about economic competitiveness?
Healthcare also ranks among the major concerns highlighted by the survey. Approximately 6.7% of respondents identified the health system as one of the country’s main challenges. This finding comes at a time when Colombia is engaged in an intense national debate over the future of its healthcare model.
The government has proposed a sweeping reform aimed at restructuring how health services are financed and delivered. Supporters argue that the reform seeks to expand access and reduce inequality, particularly in underserved rural areas. Opponents, however, warn that the proposed changes could create uncertainty for patients and health care providers.
As the reform continues to be debated in political and public arenas, an important question arises: Does the reform represent a necessary transformation of the system, or does it risk destabilizing services that millions of Colombians depend on?
Social inequality remains another critical issue. About 6.1% of respondents pointed to poverty as a central problem facing the country. Although the Petro administration has emphasized social programs and redistributive policies as key pillars of its agenda, reducing poverty is a complex and long-term challenge.
Economic transformation rarely produces immediate results, and public perceptions often evolve more slowly than policy changes. This raises a broader question about expectations and timelines: how quickly do citizens expect to see improvements in living conditions after major political shifts?
The survey also identifies narcotrafficking, mentioned by 3.6% of respondents, as an ongoing national concern. Despite decades of anti-drug policies and international cooperation, drug trafficking continues to influence Colombia’s security dynamics and regional economies.
The current government has advocated for a new approach to drug policy, including greater emphasis on public health strategies and rural development. Yet debates remain over whether these proposals can effectively address the structural forces that sustain illicit economies. In this context, another question arises: is Colombia witnessing a genuine shift in drug policy, or are old challenges simply taking new forms?
Emergency decrees and new taxes add tension to the national debate
While these structural issues shape public opinion, the debate over fiscal policy has intensified in recent days following a major government announcement. On Friday, March 13, the administration of Gustavo Petro formally issued seven economic emergency decrees intended to finance assistance for regions affected by the country’s recent rainy-season disasters.
Heavy rains have caused flooding, landslides, and significant damage to infrastructure in several departments, leaving thousands of families in need of emergency support and reconstruction efforts.
To generate additional funding, the government introduced several fiscal measures through the emergency decrees. One of the most discussed is the creation of a 16% consumption tax on online gambling services, including digital sports betting platforms and internet casinos.
Officials argue that the measure targets a rapidly expanding digital industry that previously faced fewer comparable taxes. By taxing deposits or spending within these platforms, the government hopes to generate additional revenue to fund disaster relief and reconstruction programs.
However, critics note that taxes imposed on industries often have indirect consequences for consumers. Companies may respond by adjusting their pricing structures, introducing additional fees, or modifying payout systems, potentially transferring part of the cost to users. This dynamic raises another important question: when governments tax emerging digital sectors, who ultimately bears the financial burden?
Another provision within the emergency decrees expands the scope of the corporate wealth tax, establishing that branches of foreign companies operating in Colombia may also be required to pay the tax if their assets in the country exceed certain thresholds.
From the government’s perspective, the measure is intended to ensure that companies benefiting from economic activity in Colombia contribute to the public finances needed to support social programs and disaster recovery.
Yet the announcement has also sparked debate within business circles. Some economists warn that additional tax obligations could influence how multinational companies evaluate investment opportunities in Colombia. Others argue that large corporations should play a greater role in supporting public spending during periods of crisis. The discussion ultimately raises a broader question about fiscal policy: how can governments increase revenue for urgent needs without undermining economic growth or investor confidence?
A presidency under scrutiny as Colombia approaches the next political cycle
These debates unfold as Colombia enters the final stage of Petro’s presidency. With the administration approaching the end of its four-year term, political attention is gradually shifting toward the country’s next electoral cycle. Historically, the final months of a presidency often become a period of intense scrutiny, as voters evaluate whether campaign promises have translated into concrete results.
For Petro’s government, the coming months may therefore represent a decisive moment. Can the administration deliver policy outcomes that improve public confidence before the end of its mandate? Or will the current trends in public opinion continue to shape the political narrative heading into the next electoral period?
The results of the Atlas-Intel survey do not provide definitive answers to these questions. What they do offer, however, is a snapshot of a country engaged in an active debate about its political direction. As Colombians weigh issues ranging from security and economic policy to social reform and disaster response, the evolving relationship between citizens and their government remains central to the nation’s democratic conversation.