Colombia's new July 13 holiday remains in effect despite challenge

The new national holiday on Monday, July 13, 2026, remains in full legal effect in Colombia despite a constitutional challenge, according to multiple sources.

New holiday and its legal basis

• Ley 2578, enacted June 1, 2026, designates July 9 as the Día de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá, a compulsory national holiday. Source: El Colombiano
• Since July 9, 2026, falls on a Thursday, the holiday is moved to Monday July 13 under the Ley Emiliani (Law 51 of 1983), which shifts certain holidays to create long weekends. Source: El Tiempo
• The holiday applies to both public and private sectors, with all workers entitled to paid rest unless required to work. Source: Portafolio

Constitutional challenge

• A citizen, Rodrigo Ospina Ortiz, filed a lawsuit on June 9, 2026, arguing that the law violates the secular state principle and imposes economic burdens on businesses, especially small ones. Source: Asuntos Legales
• Despite the challenge, the Constitutional Court has not issued a ruling or a precautionary measure to suspend the law. The holiday remains fully enforceable. Source: Infobae
• Any future court decision would apply prospectively, meaning the 2026 holiday is unaffected even if the law is later struck down. Source: Portafolio

Implications for workers and employers

• Workers who do not work on July 13 receive paid rest; those who work earn a 90% surcharge on normal wages, up from 80% as per the labor reform effective July 1, 2026. Source: El Colombiano
• Employers must comply; workers can pursue legal action if their employer refuses to honor the holiday. Source: Asuntos Legales