William Acosta for Poder & Dinero and FinGurú
Introduction
In times of uncertainty, the security and stability of a country depend not only on its material resources but also on the commitment, experience, and cohesion of those who make up its institutions. Colombia is going through a complex stage, where the sacrifice and dedication of its security forces face growing obstacles. The reduction of resources, the departure of leaders with years of service, and the advance of illegal armed actors have generated concern and a sense of vulnerability among broad sectors of society. This situation not only affects the operability of the institutions but also directly impacts the everyday life of millions of Colombians, especially in regions most exposed to violence and the absence of the state. This strategic and intelligence analysis seeks to offer a comprehensive and human perspective on the current challenges, recognizing the value of those who, despite adversities, continue working for the protection and well-being of the nation.
Defunding: Figures and context
The Army, the Police, the Navy, the Aerospace Force, and the General Command of the Armed Forces are going through a serious financial crisis. By the year 2025, the Army requested twenty-two trillion pesos and received only twelve; the Police asked for twenty-three trillion and received fourteen; the Navy requested four point six trillion and only obtained three trillion; the Aerospace Force received two point six trillion and the General Command one hundred eighty-six billion. Additionally, nearly nine hundred twenty-one billion pesos remain frozen due to the fiscal crisis, affecting areas with a high presence of illegal armed actors (Semana, 2025; Infobae, 2025; Minister of Defense, cited in Semana, 2025; Lapatilla, 2025).
The Minister of Defense acknowledged that the budget cut has hit operations hard and that the Government is aware of the impact on response capacity and troop morale (Semana, 2025).
Debate and official reactions
President Gustavo Petro and his cabinet have labeled reports on defunding as “lies,” defending the official management and ensuring that the salary, educational, and welfare conditions of uniformed personnel have improved. Petro insists that no soldier will be malnourished or uneducated under his government and that the modernization of the Public Force is a priority, with the opening of future budgets to renew national armament and strengthen defensive technology (Infobae, 2025; RedMás, 2025; LA FM, 2025; Radionacional, 2025).
However, evidence gathered by media and oversight entities shows that the funds provided are insufficient and that, unless a prompt adjustment is made, public order will continue to deteriorate, with authorities limited in their ability to respond to threats (Semana, 2025; Lapatilla, 2025; Pulzo, 2025).
Operational and moral impact
The lack of resources has forced the suspension of purchases, halted infrastructure projects, and slowed investments in human development. The use of expired ammunition and explosives, lack of equipment maintenance, and mission overloads have put national security and the morale of uniformed personnel at risk. There are testimonies from soldiers and police officers who have had to use their own money to cover intelligence tasks, rewards, and patrolling, while local authorities have imposed new tax burdens to address basic needs (Infobae, 2025; Semana, 2025; Lapatilla, 2025).
Advantage for illegal armed groups
The reduction of state presence and institutional weakening has allowed guerrillas, dissidents, and criminal bands to expand their territorial control, strengthen their illegal economies, and establish forms of parallel governance. The Gulf Clan, the dissidents of the Farc and the ELN have taken advantage of the situation to operate in more departments and municipalities, while the state’s intelligence and response capacity is limited (Semana, 2025; Infobae, 2025; ACLED, 2024; Pulzo, 2025).
Transparency, corruption, and control
The Comptroller's Office is investigating expired materials, losses of armament, overruns, and irregular management of reserved resources. Unfinished works and difficulties financing video surveillance systems and police stations in intermediate cities have been identified. The lack of transparency and direct contracting complicate oversight and increase the risk of corruption (Semana, 2025; Infobae, 2025; Lapatilla, 2025).
Strategic perspective and intelligence
The reduction of resources has impacted the ability to anticipate and neutralize threats, complicating the collection and analysis of strategic information and weakening infiltration prevention and control over armaments. The departure of experienced personnel in sensitive areas increases the risk of infiltration and leakage of critical information, while operational pressure and lack of resources limit the forces’ ability to act according to international standards (Semana, 2025; Transparency International Defence & Security, 2016).
Conclusion
The current situation of security forces in Colombia reflects a dangerous combination of defunding, loss of experienced personnel, and institutional reforms that, far from strengthening national defense, have opened spaces for the advance of guerrillas and organized crime. The weakening of the state’s capacity to protect citizens and maintain territorial control jeopardizes democratic stability and trust in institutions. It is essential that the state regains its direction, ensuring sufficient resources, strengthening transparency, and promoting management based on technical and meritocratic criteria, to prevent security and national integrity from continuing to be compromised by illegal actors.
References
• Semana. (2025, July 12). The Armed Forces are broke: Semana uncovers the alarming defunding that threatens the country's security and gives an advantage to criminal groups. Retrieved from https://www.semana.com/politica/articulo/las-fuerzas-armadas-estan-sin-plata-semana-destapa-la-alarmante-desfinanciacion-que-amenaza-la-seguridad-del-pais-y-le-da-ventaja-a-los-grupos-criminales/202545/
• Infobae. (2025, July 12). Financial crisis hits the Armed Forces of Colombia: low budget, cuts, and obsolescence. Retrieved from https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2025/07/12/crisis-financiera-golpea-a-las-fuerzas-armadas-de-colombia-bajo-presupuesto-recortes-y-obsolescencia/
• The Minister of Defense talks about the defunding of the Armed Forces and its impact on operations, following SEMANA's investigation. (2025, July 13). Retrieved from https://www.semana.com/politica/articulo/ministro-de-defensa-habla-del-desfinanciamiento-de-las-fuerzas-armadas-y-su-impacto-en-las-operaciones-tras-investigacion-de-semana/202503/k
• Lapatilla. (2025, July 12). Armed Forces without money: Semana uncovers alarming defunding that threatens the security of Colombia. Retrieved from https://lapatilla.com/2025/07/12/fuerzas-armadas-sin-plata-semana-destapa-alarmante-desfinanciacion-que-amenaza-la-seguridad-de-colombia/
• ACLED. (2024, December 12). Conflict Watchlist 2025: Colombia. Retrieved from https://acleddata.com/conflict-watchlist-2025/colombia/
• Pulzo. (2025, July 12). Warn about serious defunding of the Military Forces in the Petro Government. Retrieved from https://www.pulzo.com/nacion/alertan-por-grave-desfinanciacion-fuerzas-militares-gobierno-petro-PP4648715
• Transparency International Defence & Security. (2016). Colombia: Government Defence Anti-Corruption Index. Retrieved from https://ti-defence.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/GI-Colombia-2016.pdf
• LA FM. (2025, July 12). Petro denies defunding of the Public Force in Colombia. Retrieved from https://www.lafm.com.co/politica/petro-niega-desfinanciacion-de-la-fuerza-publica-en-colombia
• RedMás. (2025, July 12). President Petro refutes claims of defunding the Public Force. Retrieved from https://redmas.com.co/politica/Presidente-Petro-desmiente-desfinanciacion-de-la-Fuerza-Publica-Ningun-soldado-hambriento-habra-en-mi-gobierno-20250712-0024.html
• Radionacional. (2025, July 12). Defunding of the Public Force: Petro denies the report. Retrieved from https://www.radionacional.co/actualidad/desfinanciacion-la-fuerza-publica-petro-desmiente-informe
About the Author:
William L. Acosta graduated Magna Cum Laude from PWU and Alliance University. He is a retired police officer from the New York Police Department, as well as the founder and CEO of Equalizer Private Investigations & Security Services Inc., a licensed agency in New York and Florida, with international projection.
Since 1999, he has led investigations in cases of narcotics, homicides, and missing persons, in addition to participating in criminal defense at both the state and federal levels.
Specializing in international and multijurisdictional cases, he has coordinated operations in North America, Europe, and Latin America.
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