In a political landscape marked by economic uncertainty and fiscal strain, Colombian vice-presidential candidate Jose Manuel Restrepo lays out a strategic role to rebuild investor confidence and position Colombia on the global stage. In a recent exclusive interview with ColombiaOne, Restrepo responded to comparisons with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio — not as a slight, but as a signal of his intended function in a potential administration with presidential candidate Abelardo de La Espriella.
“What I believe he is insinuating,” Restrepo told ColombiaOne, “is that this vice presidency will be a meeting point between local and international policy.” According to him, the role would serve as a bridge between key national ministries and international investors, credit rating agencies, and diplomatic partners, projecting certainty and confidence in Colombia’s economic future. And he doesn’t mind being called the Colombian Marco Rubio (the U.S. Secretary of State) by presidential hopeful Abelardo de La Espriella.
A bridge to confidence: fiscal and investment strategy
Restrepo framed his envisioned vice presidency around connecting the Ministry of Finance, Trade, Energy, and Defense with global players. “It will be the channel through which we bring the economic recovery plan and the fiscal adjustment plan to markets,” he said, emphasizing the need to “send [the world] a signal of trust.”
For Restrepo, this includes strengthening ties with foreign governments, scaling renewable energy investments, and collaborating on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and quantum computing to prepare Colombia for 2050.
Analysts agree that foreign direct investment (FDI) is critical for long-term growth. According to Trading Economics data, FDI into Colombia remained robust into 2025, with quarterly inflows exceeding US$2.5 billion in late 2025, although below previous quarters, reflecting broader global volatility.
Additionally, World Bank statistics show that Colombia’s net FDI inflows accounted for about 3.4% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, underscoring its relative strength as an investment destination in the region.
Restrepo’s vision resonates with this context: “I see this role as connecting the Ministry of Energy with international players working on new wind and solar energies to attract more investors,” he told ColombiaOne, signaling the potential for Colombia to expand its renewable energy portfolio and diversify foreign investment sources.
Tackling Colombia’s fiscal headwinds
Restrepo did not shy away from confronting Colombia’s fiscal challenges. He cited dramatic increases in the deficit and public debt over the past years, saying that “Colombia multiplied the fiscal deficit by more than 10 times in just two years.”
Indeed, official reports from Colombia’s Ministry of Finance confirm the deficit remains one of the largest in recent history. In 2024, the fiscal deficit closed at approximately 6.8% of GDP, surpassing previous years and reflecting lower tax revenues and higher expenditures. According to projections by financial analysts, the deficit could reach even higher levels, with estimates placing it above 7% of GDP in 2025.
Restrepo framed the problem as structural but solvable. “We need a fiscal adjustment program that, on the one hand, reduces the size of the state, ideally by about one-quarter to 30 % of the national budget by 2030,” he explained. This, he says, would involve decentralizing key functions to regional authorities and reducing inefficient spending, including controversial agencies such as the Ministry of Equality.
Economists broadly agree that Colombia’s fiscal health hinges on structural reform. OECD’s Economic Surveys emphasize that sustainable public finances require deeper tax reforms and strengthened revenue mobilization, especially as interest payments consume a rising share of the budget.
International relations and strategic security
Beyond economics, Restrepo highlighted the diplomatic dimension of his envisioned vice-presidency. “It will be the bridge between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the world,” he said, pointing to the need to revitalize bilateral relations with the United States, particularly in support of democratic restoration efforts in neighboring Venezuela.
Restrepo also referenced plans to connect the Ministry of Defense with international partners on strategic security issues, suggesting a broader approach to national stability and economic collaboration. “We are in a complex transition, but we must have a clear north — a vision for the country’s future,” he stated.
Future-focused, but grounded in reality
As Colombia heads toward pivotal elections, Restrepo’s narrative positions him as a connector — a candidate offering both domestic policy reform and proactive engagement with the global economy. His frequent mention of a “bridge” symbolizes an attempt to align local economic strategy with the expectations of international markets and investors.
Whether this vision can translate into concrete fiscal improvements remains to be seen. But as Restrepo articulated in the interview, “The goal is to project Colombia by connecting the local with the international and to enamor the country with a future as a nation.”
With the nation’s debt trending above 60 % of GDP and fiscal deficits among the highest in decades, according to recent reports, Colombia faces no small task. But for Restrepo, the vice-presidency could become the linchpin in a strategic recalibration—both domestically and abroad.