USD/COP is trading near 3,220, leaving it almost 37% below the late-2022 peak of 5,118, and it fell roughly 5% in July alone. The move has been framed around Colombia’s election cycle, but the rally began around December 2024, more than a year before the vote, when polling still suggested a continuation of the left. The data in the period show improving household outcomes: poverty dropped from 36.6% in 2022 to 28.0% in 2025, with about 1.8 million people leaving poverty in the final year, while unemployment hit multi-year monthly lows near 8% in late 2024. Inflation also cooled from above 13% in early 2023 to roughly 5% by 2025, though it later steadied near 5.7% versus a 3% target.
The main driver was carry. Banco de la República kept rates high and cut slowly, supporting one of the richest EM carry profiles as the dollar softened on Fed easing expectations, with the election outcome later adding momentum rather than starting it. Meanwhile, fiscal metrics deteriorated: the central government deficit widened to 6.7% of GDP in 2024, and net public debt rose to 59.3% of GDP, above the 55% anchor, with the fiscal rule suspended through 2027, as Moody’s and S&P cut Colombia below investment grade. Technically, USD/COP is nearing deeply oversold territory, with a base case for 3,400–3,700 by year-end; further peso strength would put 2,800–3,000 in view, with long-term support near 2,600.
Drivers Behind The Colombian Peso’s Strength
We are currently seeing the Colombian Peso trade at multi-year highs, with USD/COP hovering near the 3,220 mark after a 5% drop this July. While many attribute this rally to recent market-friendly election developments, the data shows this momentum actually began in late 2024. We believe derivative traders should prepare for this aggressive downward trend in USD/COP to stall and reverse in the coming weeks.
The main engine behind the peso’s strength has been Colombia’s high interest rates, which created one of the most lucrative carry trades in emerging markets. However, with domestic inflation stalling around 5.7% and the central bank facing pressure to ease, this yield advantage is set to shrink. We expect carry traders to begin unwinding their positions as the premium for holding pesos diminishes.
Fiscal Risks And Trading Recommendations
We must also look at the country’s underlying fiscal health, which is flashing warning signs despite strong employment numbers. Colombia’s central government deficit recently widened to 6.7% of GDP, and net public debt has climbed to 59.3% of GDP, well above the fiscal-rule anchor. These structural vulnerabilities are likely to trigger a sharp currency correction as foreign investors refocus on credit ratings.
For the coming weeks, we recommend that derivative traders start buying USD/COP call options to capture a projected rebound toward the 3,400 to 3,700 range by the end of the year. While a continued peso rally could temporarily push the pair down to long-term support near 3,000, the risk-reward ratio heavily favors positioning for a dollar recovery. Utilizing call spreads will help traders limit premium costs while positioning for this inevitable fiscal reality check.
