Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-202025
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATEDSEPTEMBER 21, 2015)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/424B5/0001193125-15-326301/g16798g12n40.jpg)
U.S. $1,500,000,000
Republic of Colombia
4.500% Global Bonds due 2026
The bonds will mature on January 28, 2026 The Republic of Colombia (“Colombia” or the “Republic”) will pay interest on the bonds each January 28 and July 28, commencing on January 28, 2016. The bonds will be issued in denominations of U.S. $200,000 and integral multiples of U.S. $1,000 in excess thereof.
The bonds will be direct, general, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated external indebtedness of Colombia and will be backed by the full faith and credit of Colombia. The bonds will rank without any preference among themselves and equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated external indebtedness of Colombia. It is understood that this provision shall not be construed so as to require Colombia to make payments under the bonds ratably with payments being made under any other external indebtedness.
Colombia may, at its option, redeem the bonds, in whole or in part, before maturity, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice on the terms described under “Description of the Bonds—Optional Redemption” in this prospectus supplement. The bonds will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
The bonds will be issued under an indenture and constitute a separate series of debt securities under the indenture. The indenture contains provisions regarding future modifications to the terms of the bonds that differ from those applicable to Colombia’s outstanding public external indebtedness issued prior to January 28, 2015. Under these provisions, which are described beginning on page 7 of the accompanying prospectus, Colombia may amend the payment provisions of any series of debt securities (including the bonds) and other reserve matters listed in the indenture with the consent of the holders of: (1) with respect to a single series of debt securities, more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series; (2) with respect to two or more series of debt securities, if certain “uniformly applicable” requirements are met, more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate; or (3) with respect to two or more series of debt securities, more than 66 2⁄3% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding bonds of all series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate, and more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the proposed modification, taken individually.
Application has been made to list the bonds on the official list of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and to trade them on the Euro MTF Market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 to read about certain risks you should consider before investing in the bonds.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, referred to as the SEC, nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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| | Per bond | | | Total | |
Public offering price(1) | | | 98.762 | % | | U.S. $ | 1,481,430,000 | |
Underwriting discount | | | 0.250 | % | | U.S. $ | 3,750,000 | |
Proceeds, before expenses, to Colombia | | | 98.512 | % | | U.S. $ | 1,477,680,000 | |
(1) | Purchasers will also be required to pay accrued interest, if any, from September 28, 2015, if settlement occurs after that date. |
Delivery of the bonds, in book-entry form only, is expected to be made on or about September 28, 2015.
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BofA Merrill Lynch | | | | Credit Suisse |
The date of this prospectus supplement is September 21, 2015.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
Prospectus
Colombia has only provided to you the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Colombia has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. Colombia is not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus supplement.
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SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the bonds. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully.
The Issuer
Overview
Colombia is the fourth largest country in South America, with a territory of 441,020 square miles (1,141,748 square kilometers). Located on the northwestern corner of the South American continent, Colombia borders Panama and the Caribbean Sea on the north, Peru and Ecuador on the south, Venezuela and Brazil on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. According to theDepartamento Administrativo Nacional Estadístico (National Administrative Department of Statistics, or “DANE”), Colombia’s population in 2014 was estimated to be approximately 47.7 million, compared with 47.1 million in 2013. Based on the latest available population statistics for Colombian cities, in 2014, approximately 7.8 million people live in the metropolitan area of Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. Furthermore, in 2014, Medellín and Cali, the second and third largest cities, had populations of approximately 2.4 million and 2.3 million, respectively. The most important urban centers, with the exception of Barranquilla (the largest port city), are located in the Cordillera valleys. Colombia has a population density of approximately 108 people per square mile (42 people per square kilometer).
Government
Colombia is governed as a Presidential Republic. Colombia’s territory is divided into 32 departments. Each department is divided into municipalities.
The Republic of Colombia is one of the oldest democracies in the Americas. In 1991, a popularly elected Constitutional Assembly approved a new Constitution, replacing the Constitution of 1886. The Constitution provides for three independent branches of government: an executive branch headed by the President; a legislative branch consisting of the bicameral Congress, composed of the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate; and a judicial branch consisting of theCorte Constitucional(Constitutional Court), theCorte Suprema de Justicia(Supreme Court of Justice, or “Supreme Court”), theConsejo de Estado(Council of State), theConsejo Superior de la Judicatura(Supreme Judicial Council), theFiscalía General de la Nación(National Prosecutor General) and in such lower courts as may be established by law.
In the presidential elections that took place in 2014, Juan Manuel Santos was reelected as president of Colombia. The next presidential election is scheduled for May 2018.
Judicial power is vested in the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Council of State, the Supreme Judicial Council, the National Prosecutor General and in such lower courts as may be established by law. The function of the Constitutional Court, whose nine members are elected by the Senate for an eight-year term, is to assure that all laws are consistent with the Constitution and to review all decisions regarding fundamental rights. The Supreme Court is the final appellate court for resolving civil, criminal and labor proceedings. The Council of State adjudicates all matters relating to the exercise of public authority or actions taken by the public sector, including the review of all administrative decisions or resolutions that are alleged to contradict the Constitution or the law. The Council of State also acts as advisor to the Government on administrative matters. The Supreme Court and Council of State justices are appointed for eight-year terms by their predecessors from a list of candidates provided by the Supreme Judicial Council. The National Prosecutor General, who is appointed for a
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four-year term by the Supreme Court from a list of three candidates submitted by the President, acts as the nation’s prosecutor. The judicial branch is independent from the executive branch with respect to judicial appointments as well as budgetary matters.
National legislative power is vested in the Congress, which consists of a 102-member Senate and a 166-member Chamber of Representatives. Senators and Representatives are elected by direct popular vote for terms of four years. Senators are elected on a nonterritorial basis, while Representatives are elected on the basis of proportional, territorial representation. In each department, administrative power is vested in departmental assemblies whose members are elected by direct popular vote. At the municipal level, administrative power is vested in municipal councils, which preside over budgetary and administrative matters. The most recent Congressional elections occurred on March 9, 2014. In the Senate, candidates fromPartido Social de la Unidad Nacional,Centro Democrático Mano Firme Corazón Grande,Partido Conservador Colombiano,Partido Liberal Colombiano,Partido Cambio Radical,Partido Alianza Verde,Polo Democrático Alternativo andPartido Opción Ciudadana won 21, 19, 19, 17, 9, 5, 5 and 5 seats, respectively. In the Chamber of Representatives,Partido Social de la Unidad Nacional,Partido Liberal Colombiano,Partido Conservador Colombiano,Partido Cambio Radical,Centro Democrático Mano Firme Corazón Grande,Partido Alianza Verde,Partido Opción Ciudadana,Polo Democrático Alternativo andPartido Movimiento Independiente de Renovación Absoluta won 39, 37, 27, 16, 12, 6, 6, 3 and 3 seats, respectively. The next Congressional elections will be held in March 2018.
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Selected Colombian Economic Indicators
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| | 2010 | | | 2011 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | |
Domestic Economy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Real GDP Growth (percent)(1) | | | 4.0 | % | | | 6.6 | % | | | 4.0 | % | | | 4.9 | % | | | 4.6 | % |
Gross Fixed Investment Growth (percent)(1) | | | 4.9 | | | | 19.0 | | | | 4.7 | | | | 6.0 | | | | 10.9 | |
Private Consumption Growth (percent)(1) | | | 5.0 | | | | 6.0 | | | | 4.4 | | | | 3.8 | | | | 4.4 | |
Public Consumption Growth (percent)(1) | | | 5.6 | | | | 3.6 | | | | 6.3 | | | | 9.2 | | | | 6.2 | |
Consumer Price Index(2) | | | 3.2 | | | | 3.7 | | | | 2.4 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 3.6 | |
Producer Price Index(2) | | | 4.4 | | | | 5.5 | | | | (3.0 | ) | | | (0.5 | ) | | | 6.3 | |
Interest Rate (percent)(3) | | | 3.7 | | | | 4.2 | | | | 5.4 | | | | 5.1 | | | | 4.3 | |
Unemployment Rate (percent)(4) | | | 11.1 | | | | 9.8 | | | | 9.6 | | | | 8.4 | | | | 8.7 | |
Balance of Payments(5) | | | (millions of U.S. dollars) | |
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Exports of Goods | | | 40,762 | | | | 58,262 | | | | 61,604 | | | | 60,281 | | | | 57,000 | |
Imports of Goods | | | 38,406 | | | | 52,126 | | | | 56,648 | | | | 57,101 | | | | 61,610 | |
Current Account Balance | | | (8,663 | ) | | | (9,710 | ) | | | (11,306 | ) | | | (12,367 | ) | | | (19,580 | ) |
Net Foreign Direct Investment | | | (947 | ) | | | (6,228 | ) | | | (15,646 | ) | | | (8,557 | ) | | | (12,252 | ) |
Net International Reserves | | | 28,452 | | | | 32,300 | | | | 37,467 | | | | 43,633 | | | | 47,323 | |
Months of Coverage of Imports (Goods and Services) | | | 7.2 | | | | 6.2 | | | | 6.5 | | | | 7.5 | | | | 7.6 | |
Public Finance(6) | | | (billions of pesos or percentage of GDP) | |
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Non-financial Public Sector Revenue(7) | | | Ps.219,631 | | | | Ps.249,989 | | | | Ps.285,297 | | | | Ps.309,713 | | | | Ps.333,206 | |
Non-financial Public Sector Expenditures(7) | | | 229,354 | | | | 255,860 | | | | 278,032 | | | | 315,285 | | | | 346,539 | |
Non-financial Public Sector Primary Surplus/(Deficit)(8) | | | (651 | ) | | | 7,059 | | | | 21,984 | | | | 10,956 | | | | 5,483 | |
Percent of Nominal GDP | | | (0.1 | )% | | | 1.1 | % | | | 3.3 | % | | | 1.6 | % | | | 0.7 | % |
Non-financial Public Sector Fiscal Surplus/(Deficit) | | | (12,655 | ) | | | (11,549 | ) | | | 2,824 | | | | (6,968 | ) | | | (13,264 | ) |
Percent of Nominal GDP | | | (3.1 | )% | | | (1.8 | )% | | | 0.4 | % | | | (1.0 | )% | | | (1.8 | )% |
Central Government Fiscal Surplus/ (Deficit) | | | (21,019 | ) | | | (17,507 | ) | | | (15,440 | ) | | | (16,645 | ) | | | (18,356 | ) |
Percent of Nominal GDP | | | (3.9 | )% | | | (2.8 | )% | | | (2.3 | )% | | | (2.3 | )% | | | (2.4 | )% |
Public Debt(9) | | | (billions of pesos or percentage of GDP) | |
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Public Sector Internal Funded Debt(10) | | | Ps.183,319 | | | | Ps.192,105 | | | | Ps.200,523 | | | | Ps.227,032 | | | | Ps.244,933 | |
Percent of Nominal GDP(1) | | | 33.6 | % | | | 31.0 | % | | | 30.2 | % | | | 32.0 | % | | | 32.4 | % |
Public Sector External Funded Debt(11) | | | $35,849 | | | | $38,533 | | | | $39,165 | | | | $40,953 | | | | $42,915 | |
Percent of Nominal GDP(1) | | | 12.6 | % | | | 12.1 | % | | | 10.4 | % | | | 11.1 | % | | | 13.6 | % |
1: | Figures for 2013 and 2014 are preliminary. Preliminary figures are published in March in the year succeeding the reference period and become final two years thereafter. |
2: | Percentage change over the twelve months ended December 31 of each year. |
3: | Average for each year of the short-term composite reference rate, as calculated by the Superintendencia Financiera (Financial Superintendency). |
4: | Refers to the average national unemployment rates in December of each year. |
5: | Calculations based on the sixth edition of the IMF’s Balance of Payments Manual. For more information, see “Recent Developments—Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments—Balance of Payments”. |
6: | All figures calculated according to IMF methodology, which includes privatization, concession and securitization proceeds as part of public sector revenues and nets transfers among the different levels of the non-financial public sector. |
7: | The amounts of transfers among the different levels of the consolidated non-financial public sector are not eliminated in the calculation of consolidated non-financial public sector revenue and consolidated non-financial public sector expenditures and, accordingly, the revenue and expenditure figures included above are greater than those that would appear had such transfers been eliminated upon consolidation. |
8: | Primary surplus/(deficit) equals total consolidated non-financial public sector surplus/(deficit) without taking into account interest payments or interest income. |
9: | Exchange rates as of December 31 of each year. |
10: | Includes peso-denominated debt of the Government (excluding state-owned financial institutions) with an original maturity of more than one year and public sector entities’ guaranteed internal debt. |
11: | In millions of dollars. Includes external debt of the Government (including Banco de la República, public agencies and entities, departments and municipal governments and state-owned financial institutions) with an original maturity of more than one year. |
Sources:Banco de la República, Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (“Ministry of Finance”), DANE and CONFIS.
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The Offering
Issuer | The Republic of Colombia. |
Aggregate Principal Amount | U.S.$1,500,000,000 |
Issue Price | 4.500% of the principal amount of the bonds, plus accrued interest, if any, from September 28, 2015. |
Issue Date | September 28, 2015. |
Maturity Date | January 28, 2026 |
Form of Securities | The bonds will be issued in the form of one or more registered global securities without coupons. The bonds will not be issued in bearer form. The bonds will be registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust Company, known as DTC, and recorded on, and transferred through the records maintained by DTC and its participants, including the depositaries for Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. as operator of the Euroclear System plc, and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme. |
Denominations | The bonds will be issued in denominations of U.S. $200,000 and integral multiples of U.S. $1,000 in excess thereof. |
Interest | The bonds will bear interest from September 28, 2015 at the rate of 4.500% per year. Colombia will pay you interest semi-annually in arrears January 28 and July 28 of each year. The first interest payment will be made on January 28, 2016. |
Redemption | Colombia may, at its option, redeem the bonds, in whole or in part, before maturity, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice on the terms described under “Description of the Bonds—Optional Redemption” in this prospectus supplement. The bonds will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. |
Risk Factors | Risk factors relating to the bonds: |
| • | | The price at which the bonds will trade in the secondary market is uncertain. |
| • | | The bonds will contain provisions that permit Colombia to amend the payment terms without the consent of all holders. |
| Risk factors relating to Colombia: |
| • | | Colombia is a foreign sovereign state and accordingly it may be difficult to obtain or enforce judgments against it. |
| • | | Certain economic risks are inherent in any investment in an emerging market country such as Colombia. |
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| • | | Colombia’s economy is vulnerable to external shocks, including those that could be caused by continued or future significant economic difficulties of its major regional trading partners or by more general “contagion” effects, all of which could have a material adverse effect on Colombia’s economic growth and its ability to service its public debt. |
| See “Risk Factors” below for a discussion of certain factors you should consider before deciding to invest in the bonds. |
Status | The bonds will be direct, general, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated external indebtedness of Colombia and will be backed by the full faith and credit of Colombia. The bonds will rank without any preference among themselves and equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated external indebtedness of Colombia. It is understood that this provision shall not be construed so as to require Colombia to make payments under the bonds ratably with payments being made under any other external indebtedness. |
Withholding Tax and Additional Amounts | Colombia will make all payments on the bonds without withholding or deducting any taxes imposed by Colombia, subject to certain specified exceptions. For more information, see “Description of the Securities—Debt Securities—Additional Amounts” on page 4 of the accompanying prospectus. |
Further Issues | Colombia may from time to time, without the consent of the holders, increase the size of the issue of the bonds, or issue additional debt securities having the same terms and conditions as the bonds in all respects, except for the issue date, issue price and first payment on those additional bonds or debt securities; provided, however, that any additional debt securities subsequently issued shall be fungible with the previously outstanding bonds for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Additional debt securities issued in this manner will be consolidated with and will form a single series with the previously outstanding bonds. |
Listing | Application has been made to list the bonds on the official list of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and to trade them on the Euro MTF Market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. |
Governing Law | New York; provided, that the laws of Colombia will govern all matters relating to authorization and execution by Colombia. |
Additional Provisions | The bonds will contain provisions regarding future modifications to their terms that differ from those applicable to Colombia’s outstanding public external indebtedness issued prior to January 28, 2015. Those provisions are described in the sections entitled “Description of the Securities—Meetings and Amendments” and “—Certain Amendments Not Requiring Holder Consent” in the accompanying prospectus. |
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Use of Proceeds | The net proceeds of the sale of the bonds will be approximately U.S. $1,477,380,000, after deduction of the underwriting discount and of certain expenses payable by Colombia (which are estimated to be U.S. $300,000). Colombia will use the net proceeds for general budgetary purposes. |
Underwriting | Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated as of September 21, 2015, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as underwriters, are obligated to purchase all of the bonds if any are purchased. |
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RISK FACTORS
This section describes certain risks associated with investing in the bonds. You should consult your financial and legal advisors about the risk of investing in the bonds. Colombia disclaims any responsibility for advising you on these matters.
Risk Factors Relating to the Bonds
The price at which the bonds will trade in the secondary market is uncertain.
Colombia has been advised by the underwriters that they intend to make a market in the bonds but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. Application has been made to list the bonds on the official list of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and to trade them on the Euro MTF Market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the bonds. The price at which the bonds will trade in the secondary market is uncertain.
The bonds will contain provisions that permit Colombia to amend the payment terms without the consent of all holders.
The bonds will contain provisions regarding acceleration and voting on amendments, modifications and waivers which are commonly referred to as “collective action clauses.” Under these provisions, certain key terms of the bonds may be amended, including the maturity date, interest rate and other payment terms, without your consent. See “Meetings and Amendments—Collective Action Clause” in the accompanying prospectus.
Risk Factors Relating to Colombia
Colombia is a foreign sovereign state and accordingly it may be difficult to obtain or enforce judgments against it.
Colombia is a foreign state. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within their own jurisdictions upon Colombia or to enforce against Colombia judgments obtained in their own jurisdictions. See “Description of the Securities—Jurisdiction; Enforceability of Judgments” in the accompanying prospectus.
Certain economic risks are inherent in any investment in an emerging market country such as Colombia.
Investing in an emerging market country such as Colombia carries economic risks. These risks include economic instability that may affect Colombia’s economic results. Economic instability in Colombia and in other Latin American and emerging market countries has been caused by many different factors, including the following:
| • | | changes in currency values; |
| • | | changes in commodity prices, such as the recent decline in oil prices; |
| • | | high levels of inflation; |
| • | | wage and price controls; |
| • | | changes in economic or tax policies; |
| • | | the imposition of trade barriers; and |
| • | | internal security issues. |
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Any of these factors, as well as volatility in the markets for securities similar to the bonds, may adversely affect the liquidity of, and trading markets for, the bonds. See “Forward-Looking Statements” in the accompanying prospectus. For further information on internal security, see “Recent Developments—Republic of Colombia—Internal Security.”
Colombia’s economy remains vulnerable to external shocks, including those that could be caused by future significant economic difficulties of its major regional trading partners or by more general “contagion” effects, which could have a material adverse effect on Colombia’s economic growth and its ability to service its public debt.
The mining sector (including oil) is a significant contributor to the Colombian economy and is a principal source of exports. On June 13, 2015, the Government published its medium-term fiscal framework, which reflects the Government’s expectation that the fall in oil prices will result in a shortfall in oil revenues of approximately 1.4% of GDP as compared to 2014 and an increase in the Central Government fiscal deficit to 3.0% of GPD in 2015. In addition, China is Colombia’s second most import trading partner in terms of exports. According to preliminary figures, exports to China accounted for 10.5% of Colombia’s total exports in 2014. A continuation of current low oil prices and/or the economic slowdown in China could have an adverse effect on Colombia’s economic growth and its ability to service its public debt. For more information, see “Recent Developments—Monetary System —Interest rates and inflation” and “—Foreign exchange rates and international reserves” in this prospectus supplement, and “Economy—Gross Domestic Product”, “Monetary System—Foreign Exchange Rates and International Reserves —Appreciation of the Peso and Measures Taken by the Government”, “—Interest rates and inflation” in Colombia’s annual report on Form 18-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on September 9, 2015 (“2014 Annual Report”).
Emerging-market investment generally poses a greater degree of risk than investment in more mature market economies because the economies in the developing world are more susceptible to destabilization resulting from domestic and international developments.
A significant decline in the economic growth of any of Colombia’s major trading partners, such as the United States or the European Union or a continued slowdown in China’s economy could have a material adverse impact on Colombia’s balance of trade and adversely affect Colombia’s economic growth. The United States and the European Union are Colombia’s largest export markets. In 2014, the United States accounted for 25.7% of Colombia’s total exports and the European Union accounted for 17.2% of Colombia’s total exports. A decline in United States or European Union demand for imports could have a material adverse effect on Colombian exports and Colombia’s economic growth. In addition, because international investors’ reactions to the events occurring in one emerging market country sometimes appear to demonstrate a “contagion” effect, in which an entire region or class of investments is disfavored by international investors, Colombia could be adversely affected by negative economic or financial developments in other emerging market countries. Colombia has been adversely affected by such contagion effects on a number of occasions, including following the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the 1998 Russian financial crisis, the 1999 devaluation of the Brazilian real, the 2001 Argentine financial crisis and the global economic crisis that began in 2008. Similar developments can be expected to affect the Colombian economy in the future.
There can be no assurance that any crises such as those described above or similar events will not negatively affect investor confidence in emerging markets or the economies of the principal countries in Latin America, including Colombia. In addition, there can be no assurance that these events will not adversely affect Colombia’s economy and its ability to raise capital in the external debt markets in the future. See “Forward-Looking Statements” in the accompanying prospectus.
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CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS AND CONVENTIONS
Currency of Presentation
Unless otherwise stated, Colombia has translated historical amounts into U.S. dollars (“U.S. dollars,” “dollars,” “$” or “U.S. $”) or pesos (“pesos,” “Colombian pesos” or “Ps.”) at historical average exchange rates for the period indicated. Translations of pesos to dollars have been made for the convenience of the reader only and should not be construed as a representation that the amounts in question have been, could have been or could be converted into dollars at any particular rate or at all.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
You should read this prospectus supplement along with the accompanying prospectus attached hereto. Colombia is furnishing this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus solely for use by prospective investors in connection with their consideration of a purchase of the bonds and for Luxembourg listing purposes.
Responsibility Statement
Colombia, having taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case, confirms that the information contained in this prospectus (which includes this prospectus supplement together with the accompanying prospectus) is, to the best of Colombia’s knowledge, in accordance with the facts and contains no material omission likely to affect its import. Colombia accepts responsibility accordingly.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows Colombia to incorporate by reference some information that Colombia files with the SEC. Colombia can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Any information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus supplement from the date Colombia files that document. Except for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive, reports filed by Colombia with the SEC on or after the date of this prospectus supplement and before the date that the offering of the bonds by means of this prospectus supplement is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Colombia’s SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Exhibit D to Colombia’s 2014 Annual Report is considered part of and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Any person receiving a copy of this prospectus supplement may obtain, without charge and upon request, a copy of the above document (including only the exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference in it). Requests for such document should be directed to:
Dirección General de Crédito Público y Tesoro Nacional
Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público
Carrera 8, No. 6C-38, Piso 1
Bogotá D.C., Colombia
Telephone: 57-1-381-2802 /57-1-381-2156
Fax: 57-1-381-2801 /57-1-381-2102
You may also obtain copies of documents incorporated by reference, free of charge, at the office of the Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent specified on the inside back cover of this prospectus supplement or from the website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at http://www.bourse.lu.
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Table of References
For purposes of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 809/2004, any information not listed in the cross-reference table but included in the documents incorporated by reference is given for information purposes only:
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EC No. 809/2004 Item | | 2014 Annual Report |
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Annex XVI, 3.1: Issuer’s position within the governmental framework | | “Republic of Colombia—Government and Political Parties” on pages D-7 to D-9 of Exhibit D |
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Annex XVI, 3.2: Geographic location and legal form of the issuer | | “Republic of Colombia—Geography and Population” and “—Government and Political Parties” on pages D-7 to D-9 of Exhibit D |
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Annex XVI, 3.3: Recent events relevant to the issuer’s solvency | | “Introduction” on pages D-5 to D-6 of Exhibit D, “Republic of Colombia—Internal Security” on pages D-10 to D-16 of Exhibit D and “Recent Developments” beginning on page S-15 of the prospectus supplement |
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Annex XVI, 3.4(a): Structure of the issuer’s economy | | “Economy—Principal Sectors of the Economy”, “—Infrastructure Development”, “—Role of the State in the Economy; Privatization”, “—Environment”, “—Employment and Labor”, and “—Poverty” on pages D-23 to D-51 of Exhibit D and “Monetary System” on pages D-68 to D-77 of Exhibit D; and “Recent Developments—Economy” beginning on page S-17 of the prospectus supplement |
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Annex XVI, 3.4(b): Gross domestic product | | “Economy—Gross Domestic Product” on pagesD-20 to D-22 of Exhibit D; and “Recent Developments—Economy” beginning on page S-17 of the prospectus supplement |
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Annex XVI, 3.5: Colombia’s political system and government | | “Republic of Colombia—Government and Political Parties” on pages D-7 to D-9 of Exhibit D |
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Annex XVI, 4(a): Tax and budgetary systems of the issuer | | “Public Sector Finance—General”, “—Public Sector Accounts” and “—2015 Budget” on pages D-78 to D-85 of Exhibit D; and “Recent Developments—Public Sector Finance” beginning on page S-31 of the prospectus supplement |
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Annex XVI, 4(b): Gross public debt of the issuer | | “Public Sector Debt” and “Tables and Supplementary Information” on pages D-87 to D-96 of Exhibit D and “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt” beginning on page S-32 of the prospectus supplement |
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Annex XVI, 4(c): Foreign trade and balance of payments | | “Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments” on pages D-52 to D-67 of Exhibit D; and “Recent Developments—Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments” beginning on page S-23 of the prospectus supplement |
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| | |
| |
Annex XVI, 4(d): Foreign exchange reserves | | “Monetary System—Foreign Exchange Rates and International Reserves” on pages D-74 to D-77 of Exhibit D; and “Recent Developments—Monetary System—Foreign Exchange Rates and International Reserves” beginning on page S-30 of the prospectus supplement |
| |
Annex XVI, 4(e): Financial position and resources | | “Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments” on pages D-52 to D-55 of Exhibit D and “Public Sector Finance—General”, “—Public Sector Accounts” and “—2015 Budget” on pages D-78 to D-85 of Exhibit D; and “Recent Developments—Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments” beginning on page S-23 of the prospectus supplement and “Recent Developments—Public Sector Finance” beginning on page S-31 of the prospectus supplement |
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Annex XVI, 4(f): Income and expenditure figures and 2014 budget | | “Public Sector Finance—Public Sector Accounts” and “—2015 Budget” on pages D-79 to D-85 of Exhibit D; and “Recent Developments—Public Sector Finance” beginning on page S-31 of the prospectus supplement |
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USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of the sale of the bonds will be approximately U.S. $1,477,380,000, after deduction of the underwriting discounts and of certain expenses payable by Colombia (which are estimated to be U.S. $300,000). Colombia will use the proceeds of the sale of the bonds for general budgetary purposes.
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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
This section provides information that supplements the information about Colombia contained in Colombia’s 2014 Annual Report, as it may be amended from time to time. To the extent the information in this section is inconsistent with the information contained in the 2014 Annual Report, as amended to date, the information in this section replaces such information. Capitalized terms not defined in this section have the meanings ascribed to them in the 2014 Annual Report, as amended to date.
Republic of Colombia
Government and Political Parties
In the presidential elections that took place in 2014, Juan Manuel Santos was reelected as president of Colombia. The next presidential election is scheduled for May 2018.
Internal Security
The level of criminal activity has generally shown a decreasing trend since the Uribe administration took office in August 2002. In particular, violence by guerilla organizations has generally decreased. Incidents of homicide increased from 15,459 in 2010 to 16,127 in 2011 and to 16,440 in 2012, but decreased in 2013 to 15,419 and to 13,258 in 2014. Incidents of kidnapping increased from 282 in 2010 and to 305 in 2011, but remained constant in 2012. Incidents of kidnapping decreased from 299 in 2013 to 288 in 2014. Incidents of terrorism increased from 472 in 2010 to 571 in 2011, and to 894 in 2012. Incidents of terrorism decreased from 890 in 2013 to 764 in 2014. For the first seven months of 2015, according to preliminary data, homicides decreased by 5.3%, incidents of kidnapping decreased by 43.9% and incidents of terrorism decreased by 28.3%, compared to the same period in 2014.
Over the past two decades, Colombia has implemented various measures to address the violence associated with the guerilla movements, including bilateral negotiations, enactment of legislation to protect the victims of armed conflicts, increased investment and economic development in conflict areas and the introduction of social, political and economic reforms designed to improve living conditions, increase access to the political process and equalize the distribution of income.
On September 4, 2012, President Santos announced a “General Agreement for the Termination of Conflict” between the Government and the FARC. The agreement establishes a procedure that aims to end the armed conflict. The proposed peace process includes an agenda with five concrete points: (i) rural development; (ii) guarantees for political opposition and public participation; (iii) the end of armed conflict; (iv) combating drug trafficking; and (v) the rights of the victims. The agreement does not contemplate the cession of land or cessation of military operations. Negotiations started in the first half of October 2012 in Oslo, Norway and have continued in Havana, Cuba.
On May 26, 2013, the Government and the FARC achieved an agreement on the first negotiation point concerning rural development. The main points of the agreement covered the following topics: access and land use, unproductive lands, registry of title to property, protection of agricultural frontier areas and reserves, development programs with a territorial approach, infrastructure and land improvement, social development, encouragement of agricultural production, economic cooperation, and food and nutrition policies.
An agreement on political participation, the next point in the negotiation agenda, was reached on November 6, 2013. The agreement includes: rights and guarantees for political opposition, including access to media, in particular for new political movements that appear once the final agreement is reached; democratic mechanisms for public participation, including direct participation; and measures to promote further participation, in equal conditions and with security guarantees, of all sectors of the society in national, regional and local politics, including the most vulnerable population.
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On May 16, 2014, the Government and the FARC announced an agreement concerning the problem of drug trafficking. The agreement aims to: work with the people concerned; transform the affected farmlands; open new opportunities for communities and territories; guarantee the rights of rural farmers; clear the areas affected by land mines and unexploded ordnance; promote a comprehensive strategy to ensure full respect of the rule of law in the territories concerned; implement a program for eradicating illicit crops; strengthen institutional capabilities for the detection, control and reporting of illicit financial transactions; and promote new plans against money laundering.
On June 7, 2014, the Government and the FARC announced an agreement to take responsibility for the victims of the internal conflict, one of the most important points in the peace negotiations between the Government and the FARC. The agreement outlined ten basic principles: recognition of victims; acknowledgment of responsibility; recognition of the rights of the victims; victim participation; the discovery of the truth of what happened during the conflict; reparation for victims; guarantees of protection and security; guarantee of non-repetition; principle of reconciliation; and focus on human rights. Finalization of this agreement, however, is conditioned on a general agreement upon the full negotiating agenda and no assurance can be given that such agreement will be reached or that if it is reached, that the agreement will not be materially modified.
On December 20, 2014, the FARC initiated a ceasefire and President Santos expressed the hope that this unilateral and undefined ceasefire could lead to a bilateral and permanent treaty.
On January 5, 2015, President Santos emphasized that the continuing peace negotiation is one of the principal objectives of the Government in 2015. At a meeting with the negotiating team in 2014, he emphasized the benefits to Colombia following the unilateral ceasefire by the FARC and invited the ELN to take the same initiative. The Government negotiating team returned to Havana with the aim of concluding a peace agreement as soon as possible.
On February 20, 2015, United States Secretary of State John Kerry announced that Bernie Aronson was appointed to support the Colombian peace process. The United States is not a direct participant in the negotiation table.
On March 7, 2015, as provided for in the de-escalation framework and seeking to build trust with, and to improve the security conditions of, the inhabitants of at risk zones in which land mines, improvised explosive devices, unexploded ordinance and other explosive remnants of war are present, the Government and the FARC agreed to request that the Norwegian People’s Aid organization lead and coordinate a clean-up and decontamination project in order to disarm and dispose of such explosive devices.
On July 12, 2015 delegations from the Government and the FARC announced that in order to provide confidence in the peace process, engender trust among the delegations, speed up agreement as to remaining items in the general agreement agenda and create the conditions for a general ceasefire of bilateral hostilities and disarmament, they decided to negotiate terms under which a general ceasefire of bilateral hostilities and disarmament would occur. Such ceasefire would require monitoring and verification of compliance with the ceasefire. To this effect, they have requested that a delegate from the Secretary General of the United Nations and a delegate of the Union of South American Nations follow the negotiations so as to aid in creating such a system. In the meantime, the FARC as a gesture of de-escalation, agreed to maintain unilateral suspension of all offensive actions. The Government, starting July 20, 2015, de-escalated its own military actions.
Other Domestic Initiatives
On November 22, 2013, a law on infrastructure was passed. The main purpose of the law is to establish a regulatory framework and provide tools for improving the country’s transportation infrastructure. It seeks to make the approval and execution process for transportation infrastructure more efficient and expeditious through structures that will support and facilitate the development of a modern transport network for the country.
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On December 23, 2014, President Santos signed Law 1739 of 2014. The law seeks to maintain the growth of the Colombian economy through infrastructure development and social programs and strike a balance between taxes on wealth and income without adversely affecting the middle class or small and medium size companies. The key provisions of the tax law include: (i) a temporary wealth tax on those with net assets above Ps. 1 billion effective as of January 1, 2015; (ii) a permanent increase on the CREE from 8% to 9%, starting in 2015; (iii) a temporary income tax surcharge of the CREE for a company’s earnings above Ps.800 million, which surcharge will be 5% for 2015, 6% for 2016, 8% for 2017 and 9% for 2018; (iv) postponing the elimination of the tax on financial transactions, theGravamen a los Movimientos Financieros –GMF, to 2019, at which point it will gradually be reduced by 1 point each year until its elimination in 2022; (v) a tax deduction for investments in innovation; (vi) extending a subsidy in energy services (gas and electric) for the poor; and (vii) creating a Tax Expert Commission,Comisión de Expertos para la Equidad y la Competitividad Tributaria, which will propose reforms to make the Colombian tax system more equitable and efficient. The tax reform took effect on January 1, 2015.
On June 9, 2015, Law 1753 was approved by Congress and through which the Government has implemented the National Development Plan (“PDN”) for the period 2014 to 2018. The three main pillars of the PDN are (i) peace, reflecting the Government’s political will to commit to sustainable peace; (ii) equity, in order to focus on human development with opportunities for all; and (iii) education, which the plan considers as the most powerful instrument for social equality and economic growth. Additionally, there are five cross strategies that are meant to implement the three pillars: (i) competitiveness and strategic infrastructure; (ii) social mobility; (iii) transformation of the countryside (which includes initiatives on land access and distribution and improving the socio-economic condition of those living in rural areas); (iv) security, justice and democracy for peace building; and (v) good governance. Additionally, there is an evolving strategy, green growth, which includes as objectives the growth of sustainable development, lowering of carbon emissions, protecting the environment and planning for natural disasters and the effects of climate change.
Foreign Affairs and International Organizations
On August 22, 2015, President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela declared a state of emergency in certain parts of the border with Colombia and closed those borders due to alleged violence and smuggling. Certain Colombian citizens who had been living in Venezuela in the areas affected by the state of emergency have been since deported. On August 23, 2015, Colombia reiterated its willingness to cooperate with Venezuela in order to deepen both countries’ commitment against smuggling. At Colombia’s request, the permanent council of the Organization of American States held an extraordinary meeting on August 31, 2015 to determine whether to convene a meeting to consider the humanitarian situation faced by Colombians as a result of the deportations by Venezuela in connection with the state of emergency. Of the 18 votes needed to convene such a meeting, a sufficient majority to convene such a meeting was not attained. Accordingly, no resolution was passed.
Economy
Gross domestic product
Real GDP grew by 4.0%, 6.6% and 4.0% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, and based on preliminary figures, grew by 4.9% in 2013 and 4.6% in 2014. According to preliminary figures, real GDP grew 2.8% during the first quarter of 2015 and 3.0% during the second quarter of 2015 over the same quarters of 2014.
According to preliminary figures, during the first quarter of 2015, the sectors that experienced the greatest real growth over the same quarter of 2014 were construction (4.5%), agriculture, livestock, fishing, forestry and hunting (3.5%) and mining (1.9%). According to preliminary figures, during the second quarter of 2015, the sectors that experienced the greatest real growth over the same quarter of 2014 were construction (6.7%), commerce, repairs, restaurants and hotels (4.4%) and financial institutions, real estate and business services (3.9%).
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Impact of Oil Prices
The mining sector (including oil) is a significant contributor to the Colombian economy and is a principal source of exports. The mining sector grew 5.5% in real terms in 2013, but contracted 0.2% in real terms in 2014. Oil and its derivatives accounted for 55.2% of total exports in 2013 and 53.1% of total exports in 2014. On June 13, 2015, the Government published its medium-term fiscal framework, which reflects the Government’s expectation that the fall in oil prices will result in a shortfall in oil revenues of approximately 1.4% of GDP as compared to 2014 and an increase in the Central Government fiscal deficit to 3.0% of GDP in 2015. The Government anticipates that the balance can be financed within the fiscal responsibility law through a higher cyclical deficit. See “Public Sector Finance—General” in the 2014 Annual Report for more information on the results of a review of the Government’s financial plan for 2015 and the impact of oil prices.
Principal Sectors of the Economy
Mining and Petroleum
Colombia holds substantial reserves of petroleum, natural gas, coal, minerals, precious metals and precious and semi-precious stones, including nickel, gold, silver, platinum and emeralds. It is among the world’s leading exporters of emeralds, gold and coal. According to statistics compiled by DANE, the mining sector as a whole (including the petroleum industry) accounted for approximately 7.3% of GDP in 2014, as compared to 7.7% in 2013. Mining sector production decreased in 2014, recording a contraction in real terms of 0.2%, as compared to real growth of 5.5% in 2013, mainly due to the decrease in the value of minerals and metals (8.4%) and in crude oil and natural gas (1.4%).
Services
In 2010, the Government aimed to quadruple the number of internet broadband connections from 2.2 million to 8.8 million by 2014 through the “Plan Vive Digital”, a program designed to reduce unemployment and poverty while increasing competitiveness. At the end of 2014, the number of internet broadband connections exceeded the target, reaching a total of 9,891,506 broadband subscribers, in comparison with 8,216,401 broadband subscribers recorded at the end of 2013. At the end of the first quarter of 2015, the number of internet broadband connections increased to 10,112,622 subscribers.
Role of the State in the Economy
In 2014, the most important state-owned non-financial companies includedEcopetrol S.A., Medellín’s urban transit system (the “Medellín Metro”), the energy generation company Isagen and the energy transmission companyISA.
The following table sets forth selected financial data for the principal non-financial state-owned enterprises.
Principal Non-Financial Public Sector Enterprises
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Total Assets on Dec. 31, 2014(1) | | | Total Liabilities on Dec. 31, 2014(1) | | | Net Profits for 2014(2) | | | Total External Debt Guaranteed by the Republic on Dec. 31, 2014 | |
| | (millions of U.S. dollars) | |
Ecopetrol S.A. | | $ | 59,425 | | | $ | 29,024 | | | $ | 3,755 | | | $ | 0 | |
ISA | | | 12,119 | | | | 6,707 | | | | 297 | | | | 0 | |
Isagen | | | 3,578 | | | | 1,802 | | | | 218 | | | | 219 | |
Medellín Metro | | | 1,623 | | | | 2,442 | | | | (99 | ) | | | 62 | |
1: | Audited. Converted into U.S. dollars at the rate of Ps. 2,392.46/$1.00, the representative market rate on December 31, 2014. |
2: | Converted into U.S. dollars at the rate of Ps. 2,000.03/$1.00, the average representative market rate for January-December 2014. |
Source: Directorate of Banking Investment – Ministry of Finance and Public Credit
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Ecopetrol S.A.earned net profits of approximately Ps. 7.8 trillion ($3.7 billion) in 2014. Total net profits decreased by 41% as compared to 2013. Ecopetrol S.A. contributes to public sector revenues through a combination of income taxes, royalties and dividends. Ecopetrol S.A.’s total direct contribution to governmental revenues was Ps. 26.2 trillion in 2014, as compared to Ps. 30.9 trillion in 2013. The principal sources of Ecopetrol S.A.’s contribution to public sector revenues during 2014 were approximately Ps. 8.2 trillion in royalties, Ps. 10.8 trillion in dividends paid with respect to profits earned in 2014, Ps. 6.5 trillion in income taxes and Ps. 0.5 trillion in indirect taxes
ISA’s net profits in 2014 totaled Ps. 593.1 billion as compared to Ps. 433.0 billion in 2013.
In 2014, Isagen registered net profits of Ps. 436 billion ($218 million) as compared to Ps. 434.0 billion ($232 million) in 2013. Net profit was 1% up compared to 2013, offset by interest paid on debt associated with the construction of the Sogamoso hydroelectric power plant.
Medellín Metro registered a net loss of Ps. 197.2 billion ($82.6 million) in 2014 as compared to a net loss of Ps. 193.1 billion ($103 million) in 2013.
Environment
The PDN approved in June 2015 now includes as one of the strategies of the Government,Crecimiento Verde (Green Growth), a program promoting research, technological development and innovation for strengthening national and regional competitiveness with products and activities that contribute to sustainable development and growth with a low carbon footprint.
Employment and Labor
The following table presents national monthly average rates of unemployment from January 2011 through July 2015, according to the methodology adopted by DANE:
National Monthly Unemployment Rates(1)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2011 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | |
January | | | 13.6 | % | | | 12.5 | % | | | 12.1 | % | | | 11.1 | % | | | 10.8 | % |
February | | | 12.9 | | | | 11.9 | | | | 11.8 | | | | 10.7 | | | | 9.9 | |
March | | | 10.9 | | | | 10.4 | | | | 10.2 | | | | 9.7 | | | | 8.9 | |
April | | | 11.2 | | | | 10.9 | | | | 10.2 | | | | 9.0 | | | | 9.5 | |
May | | | 11.2 | | | | 10.7 | | | | 9.4 | | | | 8.8 | | | | 8.9 | |
June | | | 10.9 | | | | 10.0 | | | | 9.2 | | | | 9.2 | | | | 8.2 | |
July | | | 11.5 | | | | 10.9 | | | | 9.9 | | | | 9.3 | | | | 8.8 | |
August | | | 10.1 | | | | 9.7 | | | | 9.3 | | | | 8.9 | | | | n/a | |
September | | | 9.7 | | | | 9.9 | | | | 9.0 | | | | 8.4 | | | | n/a | |
October | | | 9.0 | | | | 8.9 | | | | 7.8 | | | | 7.9 | | | | n/a | |
November | | | 9.2 | | | | 9.2 | | | | 8.5 | | | | 7.7 | | | | n/a | |
December | | | 9.8 | | | | 9.6 | | | | 8.4 | | | | 8.7 | | | | n/a | |
1: | Unemployment rate is defined as the unemployed population divided by the labor force. |
n/a: Not available.
Source: DANE.
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The following table presents national quarterly average rates of employment by gender for the periods indicated:
National Quarterly Employment Rates by Gender
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2011 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | |
| | Women | | | Men | | | Women | | | Men | | | Women | | | Men | | | Women | | | Men | | | Women | | | Men | |
First Quarter | | | 42.7 | % | | | 67.4 | % | | | 45.3 | % | | | 68.7 | % | | | 44.8 | % | | | 68.3 | % | | | 45.3 | % | | | 68.3 | % | | | 46.3 | % | | | 69.2 | % |
Second Quarter | | | 44.6 | | | | 68.1 | | | | 47.6 | | | | 69.3 | | | | 47.5 | | | | 68.7 | | | | 47.8 | | | | 69.2 | | | | 48.7 | % | | | 69.9 | % |
Third Quarter | | | 45.3 | | | | 68.6 | | | | 46.4 | | | | 69.2 | | | | 47.5 | | | | 69.2 | | | | 48.1 | | | | 69.5 | | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Fourth Quarter | | | 48.1 | | | | 71.7 | | | | 47.5 | | | | 70.8 | | | | 48.5 | | | | 71.2 | | | | 49.2 | | | | 71.6 | | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Source: DANE.
The following tables present the distribution of national employment by sector of the economy for the periods indicated:
National Quarterly Employment Rates by Sector
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2011 | |
| | First Quarter | | | Second Quarter | | | Third Quarter | | | Fourth Quarter | |
Agriculture, fishing, hunting and forestry | | | 18.6 | % | | | 17.6 | % | | | 17.6 | % | | | 18.8 | % |
Mining and quarrying | | | 1.0 | % | | | 1.4 | % | | | 1.6 | % | | | 0.8 | % |
Manufacturing | | | 12.5 | % | | | 13.4 | % | | | 12.7 | % | | | 13.5 | % |
Electricity, gas and water supply | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.6 | % | | | 0.6 | % |
Construction | | | 5.6 | % | | | 5.4 | % | | | 5.9 | % | | | 5.9 | % |
Retail, hotels and restaurants | | | 26.6 | % | | | 26.6 | % | | | 26.1 | % | | | 26.3 | % |
Transport, storage and communications | | | 8.8 | % | | | 8.2 | % | | | 8.2 | % | | | 8.0 | % |
Financial intermediation | | | 1.2 | % | | | 1.2 | % | | | 1.2 | % | | | 1.1 | % |
Real estate, renting and business activities | | | 6.4 | % | | | 6.7 | % | | | 6.5 | % | | | 6.4 | % |
Community, social and personal services | | | 18.7 | % | | | 19.0 | % | | | 19.5 | % | | | 18.5 | % |
Total | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2012 | |
| | First Quarter | | | Second Quarter | | | Third Quarter | | | Fourth Quarter | |
Agriculture, fishing, hunting and forestry | | | 17.9 | % | | | 16.9 | % | | | 17.2 | % | | | 18.0 | % |
Mining and quarrying | | | 0.9 | % | | | 1.3 | % | | | 1.4 | % | | | 0.9 | % |
Manufacturing | | | 13.0 | % | | | 13.2 | % | | | 12.3 | % | | | 12.9 | % |
Electricity, gas and water supply | | | 0.6 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.6 | % |
Construction | | | 6.2 | % | | | 5.9 | % | | | 5.8 | % | | | 6.1 | % |
Retail, hotels and restaurants | | | 26.6 | % | | | 26.9 | % | | | 26.6 | % | | | 26.9 | % |
Transport, storage and communications | | | 8.6 | % | | | 8.1 | % | | | 8.7 | % | | | 7.9 | % |
Financial intermediation | | | 1.4 | % | | | 1.2 | % | | | 1.2 | % | | | 1.2 | % |
Real estate, renting and business activities | | | 6.2 | % | | | 6.5 | % | | | 7.2 | % | | | 6.9 | % |
Community, social and personal services | | | 18.6 | % | | | 19.6 | % | | | 19.1 | % | | | 18.6 | % |
Total | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2013 | |
| | First Quarter | | | Second Quarter | | | Third Quarter | | | Fourth Quarter | |
Agriculture, fishing, hunting and forestry | | | 17.7 | % | | | 16.1 | % | | | 16.7 | % | | | 17.0 | % |
Mining and quarrying | | | 1.2 | % | | | 1.1 | % | | | 1.3 | % | | | 0.6 | % |
Manufacturing | | | 11.8 | % | | | 12.7 | % | | | 11.6 | % | | | 12.0 | % |
Electricity, gas and water supply | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.5 | % |
Construction | | | 5.5 | % | | | 5.5 | % | | | 5.8 | % | | | 6.4 | % |
Retail, hotels and restaurants | | | 27.8 | % | | | 27.1 | % | | | 27.3 | % | | | 27.6 | % |
Transport, storage and communications | | | 8.6 | % | | | 8.6 | % | | | 8.0 | % | | | 7.9 | % |
Financial intermediation | | | 1.3 | % | | | 1.3 | % | | | 1.5 | % | | | 1.4 | % |
Real estate, renting and business activities | | | 7.2 | % | | | 7.1 | % | | | 7.1 | % | | | 6.9 | % |
Community, social and personal services | | | 18.4 | % | | | 20.1 | % | | | 20.0 | % | | | 19.6 | % |
Total | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2014 | |
| | First Quarter | | | Second Quarter | | | Third Quarter | | | Fourth Quarter | |
Agriculture, fishing, hunting and forestry | | | 16.4 | % | | | 15.6 | % | | | 16.6 | % | | | 16.4 | % |
Mining and quarrying | | | 1.0 | % | | | 1.1 | % | | | 1.1 | % | | | 0.7 | % |
Manufacturing | | | 11.8 | % | | | 12.3 | % | | | 11.6 | % | | | 12.3 | % |
Electricity, gas and water supply | | | 0.6 | % | | | 0.6 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.6 | % |
Construction | | | 5.9 | % | | | 5.9 | % | | | 5.9 | % | | | 6.5 | % |
Retail, hotels and restaurants | | | 27.7 | % | | | 27.2 | % | | | 27.0 | % | | | 27.2 | % |
Transport, storage and communications | | | 8.6 | % | | | 8.3 | % | | | 8.1 | % | | | 8.3 | % |
Financial intermediation | | | 1.4 | % | | | 1.3 | % | | | 1.5 | % | | | 1.2 | % |
Real estate, renting and business activities | | | 6.9 | % | | | 7.2 | % | | | 7.6 | % | | | 7.4 | % |
Community, social and personal services | | | 19.7 | % | | | 20.6 | % | | | 20.1 | % | | | 19.3 | % |
Total | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2015 | |
| | First Quarter | | | Second Quarter | | | Third Quarter | | | Fourth Quarter | |
Agriculture, fishing, hunting and forestry | | | 16.3 | % | | | 15.4 | % | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Mining and quarrying | | | 0.8 | % | | | 1.0 | % | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Manufacturing | | | 12.2 | % | | | 12.2 | % | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Electricity, gas and water supply | | | 0.6 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Construction | | | 6.4 | % | | | 6.1 | % | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Retail, hotels and restaurants | | | 27.4 | % | | | 27.1 | % | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Transport, storage and communications | | | 8.5 | % | | | 8.4 | % | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Financial intermediation | | | 1.4 | % | | | 1.3 | % | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Real estate, renting and business activities | | | 7.4 | % | | | 7.7 | % | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Community, social and personal services | | | 19.0 | % | | | 20.2 | % | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Total | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | n/a | | | | n/a | |
Source: DANE. Calculations: Ministry of Finance.
Poverty
In September 2011, DNP released a new methodology that changed the poverty line and the construction of the family aggregate income. The following table shows the percentage of the population with incomes below the poverty line for the years indicated following the new methodology.
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Poverty in Colombia(1)
(percentage of population below poverty line)
| | | | |
2010 | | | 37.2 | % |
2011 | | | 34.1 | % |
2012 | | | 32.7 | % |
2013 | | | 30.6 | % |
2014 | | | 28.5 | % |
1: | The poverty line is defined as the minimum level of income necessary to acquire an adequate amount of food and primary goods. Households whose annual income falls below that level are considered to be living in poverty. Households whose monthly income per-capita was lower than Ps. 211,807 for 2014, Ps. 206,091 for 2013, Ps. 202,083 for 2012, Ps. 194,696 for 2011, and Ps. 187,063 for 2010 were considered to be living in poverty. Households whose income per-capita was lower than Ps. 94,103 for 2014, Ps. 91,698 for 2013, Ps. 91,207 for 2012, Ps. 87,672 for 2011, and Ps.83,578 for 2010 were considered to be living in extreme poverty. |
Source: DANE.
Although Colombia does not have a welfare system, the Government modified the pension system in 1993 to serve social welfare needs. For further discussion of the pension system, see “Public Sector Finance—Public Sector Accounts—Expenditures” in the 2014 Annual Report. Also in 1993, legislation created a decentralized health care system which should, in the long term, provide subsidized care to the entire population.
Health Care Reform
On January 19, 2011, the President signed into law the Health Reform Law that allocates more resources to the health system (Ps.1.5 trillion per year). The Government will contribute Ps.1.0 trillion from the national budget, and other resources are expected to come from the Family Compensation Funds (a non-governmental agency that pays social security subsidies), municipalities and departments, among others. The law will also order periodic updates to the public health insurance plans in order to make them consistent with the epidemiological profile of the population, limiting and rationalizing the type of treatments and drugs that are included in the insurance plans.
On February 16, 2015, President Santos and Health Minister, Alejandro Gaviria, signed Law 1751, which establishes health as an autonomous fundamental right. Under the law, the provision of emergency services becomes mandatory, eliminating any requirement for authorization prior to treatment. The law also provides that administrative or economic reasons cannot interrupt a patient’s care. Additionally, it establishes a cap on medicine prices based on international reference prices.
Other Government Initiatives to Combat Poverty
Other initiatives the Government has undertaken to alleviate poverty in Colombia include a program called “De cero a siempre”, which seeks to promote and ensure children’s comprehensive development from conception until the age of six. Furthermore, the Government has continued to develop the “Families in Action” program, a monetary transfer program that seeks to reduce poverty and income inequality by encouraging poor families to make certain commitments in education and health. The Government has also implemented the “Women Savers in Action Program”, which seeks to promote the autonomy and empowerment of women, as well as the “Income Generation and Employability Program”, which aims to provide job training and encourage entrepreneurship.
On May 28, 2015, President Santos presented the program called “Plan de Impulso a la Productividad y el Empleo” (PIPE 2.0). This plan seeks to stimulate the economy and mitigate the impact of the economic slowdown. This initiative seeks to generate investment in cross-sectors such as infrastructure, education, public works, housing, industry and mining. It includes almost Ps. 17 trillion of investment and is expected to create 300,000 jobs.
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Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments
Balance of payments
In June 2014,Banco de la República adopted the sixth edition of the IMF’s Balance of Payments Manual framework and incorporated resulting changes in balance of payments statistics from 2000 onward. The key changes from the fifth edition to the sixth edition of the IMF’s Balance of Payments Manual methodology include the reclassification of accounts within the balance of payments. On the current account side, a financial intermediation services account (FISIM) has been created and is included within the services account. The corresponding information was previously incorporated in the income line. On the capital account side, loans between affiliates (for nonfinancial sector companies), which had previously been incorporated within the loans account, are now included in the direct investment account. Furthermore, changes in the format for the presentation of information have been incorporated. Additionally, measurements of exports in the table “Balance of Payments” are different from the table “Exports (FOB) by Group of Products” and from the table “Trends in the Composition of Exports”, because these two latter tables do not incorporate special trade operations and commerce from the Free Trade Zones.
According to preliminary figures, Colombia’s current account registered a U.S. $19,580 million deficit in 2014, compared to a U.S. $12,367 million deficit in 2013. The increase in the current account deficit was mainly due to an increase in imports of goods and services accompanied by a decrease of exports of goods and services.
Income outflows were driven primarily by higher remittances of profits and dividends by foreign companies in Colombia to their head offices abroad. For 2014, the financial account registered a U.S. $19,640 million deficit, compared to a U.S. $11,845 million deficit for 2013. The increase in the deficit was mainly caused by a decrease in portfolio investment and other investment accounts.
According to preliminary figures, Colombia’s current account registered a deficit of U.S. $9,466 million for the first six months of 2015, compared to a deficit of U.S. $8,261 million for the same period in 2014. The financial account registered a deficit of U.S. $9,019 million for the first six months of 2015, compared to a U.S. $8,279 million deficit for the same period in 2014.
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The following table presents preliminary balance of payments figures for the periods indicated based on the sixth edition of the IMF’s Balance of Payments Manual:
Balance of Payments(1)(2)(3)(4)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Year ended December 31 | | | For the Six Months ended June 30th, | |
Account | | 2010 | | | 2011 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | |
| | (in Millions of U.S. Dollars) | |
Current Account | | | (8,663 | ) | | | (9,710 | ) | | | (11,306 | ) | | | (12,367 | ) | | | (19,580 | ) | | | (8,261 | ) | | | (9,466 | ) |
Credit (Exports) | | | 52,858 | | | | 72,233 | | | | 77,269 | | | | 76,227 | | | | 73,153 | | | | 36,468 | | | | 28,882 | |
Debit (Imports) | | | 61,520 | | | | 81,943 | | | | 88,574 | | | | 88,594 | | | | 92,734 | | | | 44,730 | | | | 38,348 | |
Goods and Services | | | (1,881 | ) | | | 955 | | | | (839 | ) | | | (2,745 | ) | | | (11,268 | ) | | | (3,558 | ) | | | (7,924 | ) |
Credit (Exports) | | | 45,875 | | | | 63,898 | | | | 68,034 | | | | 67,140 | | | | 63,846 | | | | 32,136 | | | | 23,922 | |
Debit (Imports) | | | 47,756 | | | | 62,943 | | | | 68,873 | | | | 69,885 | | | | 75,115 | | | | 35,694 | | | | 31,846 | |
Goods | | | 2,356 | | | | 6,137 | | | | 4,956 | | | | 3,180 | | | | (4,610 | ) | | | (521 | ) | | | (5,745 | ) |
Credit (Exports) | | | 40,762 | | | | 58,262 | | | | 61,604 | | | | 60,281 | | | | 57,000 | | | | 28,877 | | | | 20,566 | |
Debit (Imports) | | | 38,406 | | | | 52,126 | | | | 56,648 | | | | 57,101 | | | | 61,610 | | | | 29,398 | | | | 26,310 | |
Services | | | (4,237 | ) | | | (5,182 | ) | | | (5,795 | ) | | | (5,925 | ) | | | (6,659 | ) | | | (3,037 | ) | | | (2,179 | ) |
Credit (Exports) | | | 5,113 | | | | 5,636 | | | | 6,430 | | | | 6,859 | | | | 6,846 | | | | 3,259 | | | | 3,356 | |
Debit (Imports) | | | 9,350 | | | | 10,818 | | | | 12,225 | | | | 12,784 | | | | 13,505 | | | | 6,296 | | | | 5,535 | |
Primary Income | | | (11,229 | ) | | | (15,499 | ) | | | (15,046 | ) | | | (14,216 | ) | | | (12,670 | ) | | | (6,671 | ) | | | (3,857 | ) |
Credit (Exports) | | | 1,667 | | | | 2,765 | | | | 3,840 | | | | 3,613 | | | | 3,999 | | | | 1,833 | | | | 2,277 | |
Debit (Imports) | | | 12,897 | | | | 18,265 | | | | 18,886 | | | | 17,829 | | | | 16,669 | | | | 8,504 | | | | 6,134 | |
Secondary Income | | | 4,448 | | | | 4,834 | | | | 4,579 | | | | 4,594 | | | | 4,358 | | | | 1,967 | | | | 2,315 | |
Credit (Exports) | | | 5,315 | | | | 5,570 | | | | 5,394 | | | | 5,473 | | | | 5,308 | | | | 2,500 | | | | 2,683 | |
Debit (Imports) | | | 868 | | | | 735 | | | | 815 | | | | 880 | | | | 950 | | | | 532 | | | | 367 | |
Financial Account | | | (9,275 | ) | | | (8,925 | ) | | | (11,754 | ) | | | (11,845 | ) | | | (19,640 | ) | | | (8,279 | ) | | | (9,019 | ) |
Direct Investment | | | (947 | ) | | | (6,228 | ) | | | (15,646 | ) | | | (8,557 | ) | | | (12,252 | ) | | | (6,444 | ) | | | (5,454 | ) |
Net Acquisition of Financial Assets | | | 5,483 | | | | 8,420 | | | | (606 | ) | | | 7,652 | | | | 3,899 | | | | 2,371 | | | | 1,381 | |
Equity and Investment Fund Share | | | 6,893 | | | | 7,254 | | | | (557 | ) | | | 7,468 | | | | 2,935 | | | | 2,179 | | | | 1,826 | |
Debt Instruments | | | (1,410 | ) | | | 1,165 | | | | (49 | ) | | | 184 | | | | 964 | | | | 192 | | | | (445 | ) |
Net Incurrence of Liabilities | | | 6,430 | | | | 14,648 | | | | 15,039 | | | | 16,209 | | | | 16,151 | | | | 8,815 | | | | 6,834 | |
Equity and Investment Funds Share | | | 7,065 | | | | 12,776 | | | | 13,800 | | | | 13,840 | | | | 13,658 | | | | 8,011 | | | | 5,575 | |
Debt Instruments | | | (635 | ) | | | 1,872 | | | | 1,239 | | | | 2,368 | | | | 2,493 | | | | 804 | | | | 1,260 | |
Portfolio Investment | | | (973 | ) | | | (6,090 | ) | | | (5,690 | ) | | | (6,978 | ) | | | (11,654 | ) | | | (4,892 | ) | | | (3,411 | ) |
Net Acquisition of Financial Assets | | | 2,290 | | | | 2,111 | | | | 1,666 | | | | 4,096 | | | | 7,007 | | | | 5,342 | | | | 2,983 | |
Equity and Investment Fund Share | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | | |
Debt Securities | | | 2,290 | | | | 2,111 | | | | 1,666 | | | | 4,096 | | | | 7,007 | | | | 5,342 | | | | 2,983 | |
Net Incurrence of Liabilities | | | 3,263 | | | | 8,202 | | | | 7,356 | | | | 11,073 | | | | 18,661 | | | | 10,233 | | | | 6,394 | |
Equity and Investment Fund Share | | | 1,318 | | | | 2,288 | | | | 3,180 | | | | 1,926 | | | | 3,833 | | | | 1,471 | | | | 903 | |
Debt Securities | | | 1,944 | | | | 5,914 | | | | 4,176 | | | | 9,147 | | | | 14,828 | | | | 8,763 | | | | 5,491 | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Year ended December 31 | | | For the Six Months ended June 30th, | |
Account | | 2010 | | | 2011 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | |
| | (in Millions of U.S. Dollars) | |
Financial Derivatives and Options to Purchase Shares by Employees | | | (354 | ) | | | (82 | ) | | | (714 | ) | | | (33 | ) | | | 268 | | | | (132 | ) | | | 382 | |
Net Acquisition of Financial Assets | | | (354 | ) | | | (202 | ) | | | (780 | ) | | | (156 | ) | | | (411 | ) | | | (287 | ) | | | (154 | ) |
Net Incurrence of Liabilities | | | — | | | | (120 | ) | | | (66 | ) | | | (124 | ) | | | (680 | ) | | | (156 | ) | | | (536 | ) |
Other Investments | | | (10,144 | ) | | | (267 | ) | | | 4,890 | | | | (3,225 | ) | | | (439 | ) | | | 1,397 | | | | (701 | ) |
Net Acquisition of Financial Assets | | | 210 | | | | 3,417 | | | | 2,656 | | | | 1,826 | | | | 1,820 | | | | 776 | | | | (445 | ) |
Net Incurrence of Liabilities | | | 10,354 | | | | 3,684 | | | | (2,234 | ) | | | 5,051 | | | | 2,258 | | | | (620 | ) | | | 256 | |
Reserve Assets | | | 3,142 | | | | 3,742 | | | | 5,406 | | | | 6,946 | | | | 4,437 | | | | 1,791 | | | | 164 | |
Net Errors and Omissions | | | (613 | ) | | | 785 | | | | (448 | ) | | | 522 | | | | (59 | ) | | | (18 | ) | | | 447 | |
Memorandum of the Financial Account Excluding Reserve Assets | | | (12,418 | ) | | | (12,668 | ) | | | (17,160 | ) | | | (18,792 | ) | | | (24,076 | ) | | | (10,071 | ) | | | (9,183 | ) |
(1) | Data for 2015, 2014 and 2013 are preliminary and data for 2010, 2011 and 2012 are revised. |
(2) | The calculation of the change in international reserves is made based on the 6th edition of the IMF Balance of Payments manual, following the recommendation not to include in this calculation changes due to exchange rate and price valuations. |
(3) | Other financial corporations are institutional units that provide financial services, and which asset and liability are, in general, not available in open financial markets. |
(4) | Non-financial corporations are corporations whose principal activity is the production of goods or non-financial market services. This category includes legally established companies, branches or non-resident corporations, quasi-corporations, hypothetical resident land owners units and resident non-profit institutions that are market producers of goods and nonfinancial services. |
Source: Banco de la República—Economic Studies.
Exports of goods (according to balance of payments figures) decreased by 5.4% in 2014 compared to 2013 due to a decrease in international commodity prices, mainly oil prices, partially offset by an increase in the volume of shipped raw materials such as coffee, flowers and bananas. Nontraditional exports, including emeralds, decreased by 6.7% from $17,089 million in 2013 to $15,945 million in 2014. Among industry exports, the largest decreases among the categories of specifically identified export products were registered by other industries (including jewelry, musical instruments, sporting goods and other products), which decreased by 25.8%, iron and steel industries, which decreased by 12.1%, and paper and its byproducts, which decreased by 11.0%. Exports of goods (according to DANE andBanco de la República) in 2014 totaled approximately $54,794 million, including oil and its derivatives (52.8% of total exports), coal (12.4% of total exports), coffee (4.5% of total exports), nickel (1.2% of total exports) and nontraditional exports (29.1% of total exports).
According to preliminary figures supplied by DANE and theDirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales de Colombia (“DIAN”), exports of goods totaled $22,261 million during the first seven months of 2015, representing a 32.6% decrease as compared to the same period in 2014. This decrease was primarily caused by a 44.5% decrease in exports of oil and its derivatives, a 32.5% decrease in non-monetary gold and certain other sectors and a 6.2% decrease in the manufacturing sector.
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Geographic Distribution of Trade
The following tables show the destination and origin, respectively, of Colombia’s exports and imports.
Merchandise Exports to Major Trading Partners
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010(1) | | | 2011(1) | | | 2012(1) | | | 2013(1) | | | 2014(1) | |
| | (percentage of total exports) | |
United States | | | 42.2 | | | | 38.6 | | | | 36.3 | | | | 31.4 | | | | 25.7 | |
China | | | 4.4 | | | | 3.5 | | | | 5.6 | | | | 8.7 | | | | 10.5 | |
Panama | | | 2.4 | | | | 3.8 | | | | 4.8 | | | | 5.5 | | | | 6.6 | |
Spain | | | 1.4 | | | | 3.0 | | | | 4.9 | | | | 4.9 | | | | 6.0 | |
India | | | 1.3 | | | | 1.3 | | | | 2.3 | | | | 5.1 | | | | 5.0 | |
Netherlands | | | 4.2 | | | | 4.4 | | | | 4.2 | | | | 3.9 | | | | 3.9 | |
Venezuela | | | 3.6 | | | | 3.0 | | | | 4.3 | | | | 3.8 | | | | 3.6 | |
Ecuador | | | 4.6 | | | | 3.4 | | | | 3.2 | | | | 3.4 | | | | 3.4 | |
Brazil | | | 2.5 | | | | 2.3 | | | | 2.1 | | | | 2.7 | | | | 3.0 | |
Peru | | | 2.9 | | | | 2.3 | | | | 2.6 | | | | 2.2 | | | | 2.2 | |
United Kingdom | | | 1.7 | | | | 2.1 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 2.0 | |
Chile | | | 2.7 | | | | 3.9 | | | | 3.6 | | | | 2.7 | | | | 1.8 | |
Switzerland | | | 2.2 | | | | 1.7 | | | | 1.2 | | | | 0.8 | | | | 0.9 | |
Others | | | 24.1 | | | | 26.7 | | | | 23.0 | | | | 23.2 | | | | 25.4 | |
Total | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % |
Totals may differ due to rounding.
Sources: DANE.
Merchandise Imports by Major Trading Partners
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010(1) | | | 2011(1) | | | 2012(1) | | | 2013(1) | | | 2014(1) | |
| | (percentage of total exports) | |
United States | | | 36.5 | | | | 35.6 | | | | 33.1 | | | | 34.7 | | | | 34.2 | |
China | | | 5.0 | | | | 5.5 | | | | 6.0 | | | | 6.0 | | | | 6.6 | |
Mexico | | | 5.5 | | | | 7.5 | | | | 8.0 | | | | 5.9 | | | | 5.5 | |
Panama | | | 4.0 | | | | 5.3 | | | | 5.8 | | | | 5.6 | | | | 4.9 | |
Switzerland | | | 3.4 | | | | 3.4 | | | | 3.7 | | | | 3.6 | | | | 3.6 | |
South Korea | | | 3.3 | | | | 3.3 | | | | 3.1 | | | | 3.3 | | | | 3.6 | |
Germany | | | 3.5 | | | | 3.4 | | | | 3.3 | | | | 3.5 | | | | 3.1 | |
Brazil | | | 3.8 | | | | 3.2 | | | | 3.1 | | | | 2.8 | | | | 3.0 | |
Chile | | | 2.3 | | | | 2.1 | | | | 2.4 | | | | 2.3 | | | | 2.3 | |
Japan | | | 3.4 | | | | 2.8 | | | | 2.6 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 2.1 | |
Spain | | | 1.5 | | | | 1.5 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 2.0 | | | | 1.9 | |
Uruguay | | | 1.9 | | | | 1.8 | | | | 1.5 | | | | 1.4 | | | | 1.9 | |
Ecuador | | | 1.7 | | | | 1.5 | | | | 1.6 | | | | 1.4 | | | | 1.5 | |
Others | | | 24.2 | | | | 23.0 | | | | 23.9 | | | | 25.6 | | | | 25.6 | |
Total | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % |
Totals may differ due to rounding.
Sources: National Directorate of Customs and Taxes.
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The major trading partners of Colombia classified by exports are the United States, China and the European Union.
Exports to the United States were $14.1 billion in 2014, as compared to $18.5 billion in 2013, and $6.04 billion for the period from January to July 2015. The 23.6% decrease in 2014 was mainly due to lower sales of refined petroleum products and mineral products, which decreased by 31.6% compared to 2013.
Exports to China were $5.6 billion in 2014, as compared to $5.1 billion in 2013. From January to July 2015, exports to China reached $1.3 billion. In 2014, exports to China increased 12.8% over the previous year, mainly due to a 167.1% increase in the export of wood, charcoal and wood products.
Exports to the European Union were $9.4 billion in 2014, as compared to $9.3 billion in 2013. From January to July 2015, exports to the European Union reached $3.7 billion. In 2014, exports to the European Union increased 1.3% over the previous year, mainly due to a 45.2% increase in exports of coffee, tea, mate and spices.
The major trading partners of Colombia classified by imports are the United States, Mexico and China.
Imports from the United States were $18.2 billion in 2014, as compared to $16.3 billion in 2013, and $9.5 billion for the period from January to July 2015. In 2014, imports from the United States increased by 11.4% compared to 2013, mainly as a result of a 33.2% increase in imports of oil, minerals, refined petroleum products and related products.
Imports from China were $11.8 billion in 2014, as compared to $10.4 billion in 2013, and from January to July 2015 imports totaled $5.7 billion. In 2014, imports from China increased by 13.8% compared to 2013, mainly as a result of a 16.2% increase in imports of equipment, electrical recording materials and image materials.
Imports from Mexico were $5.3 billion in 2014, as compared to $5.5 billion in 2013, and $2.3 billion for the period from January to July 2015. In 2014, imports from Mexico decreased by 4.1%.
Monetary System
Financial sector
As of June 30, 2015, Colombia’s financial sector had a total gross loan portfolio of Ps. 352.0 trillion compared to Ps. 303.0 trillion as of June 30, 2014. Past due loans totaled Ps. 10.9 trillion as of June 30, 2015, Ps. 9.4 trillion as of June 30, 2014, and Ps. 8.0 trillion as of June 30, 2013, representing an increase of 36% over the two-year period. Past due loans were 3.1% of total loans as of June 30, 2015, 3.1% of total loans as of June 30, 2014 and 3.0% as of June 30, 2013. Provisions as a percentage of past due loans remained constant at 144.8% as of June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2015.
The aggregate net technical capital (or solvency ratio) of Colombian banks increased from 15.0% of risk- weighted assets as of June 30, 2014 to 15.5% of risk-weighted assets as of June 30, 2015. The change in the solvency ratio is a product of an increase in risk-weighted assets from Ps. 320.2 trillion as of June 30, 2014 to Ps. 371.0 trillion as of June 30, 2015.
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The following table shows the results of the financial sector as of, and for the twelve months ended June 30, 2015:
Selected Financial Sector Indicators
(in millions of pesos as of, and for the twelve months ended,
June 30, 2015)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Assets | | | Liabilities | | | Net Worth | | | Earnings | |
Banks | | | Ps. 469,736,638 | | | | Ps. 406,519,487 | | | | Ps. 63,217,151 | | | | Ps. 5,099,223 | |
Non-Banking Financial Institutions (1) | | | 41,575,840 | | | | 32,635,739 | | | | 8,940,101 | | | | 610,682 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | Ps. 511,312,478 | | | | Ps. 439,155,226 | | | | Ps. 72,157,252 | | | | Ps. 5,709,905 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Includes financial corporations, commercial financing companies and cooperatives. |
(2) | Includes Financiera Eléctrica Nacional (“FEN”), Banco de Comercio Exterior de Colombia S.A. (“Bancoldex”), Financiera de Desarrollo Territorial (Territorial Development Financing Agency or “FINDETER”), Fondo para Financiamiento del Sector Agropecuario (Agricultural Sector Financing Fund or “FINAGRO”), Fondo Financiero de Proyectos de Desarrollo (Financial Fund for Development Projects or “FONADE”), Fondo Nacional del Ahorro (National Savings Fund or “FNA”), Fondo de Garantías de Instituciones Financieras (Financial Institutions Guarantee Fund or “FOGAFIN”), Fondo de Garantías de Entidades Cooperativas (Cooperative Institutions Guarantee Fund or “FOGACOOP”), Fondo Nacional de Garantías (National Fund of Guarantees or “FNG”) and Instituto Colombiano de Crédito Educativo y Estudios Técnicos en el Exterior (Colombian Institute of Educational Credit and Overseas Technical Studies, or “ICETEX”). |
Source: Financial Superintendency.
Interest rates and inflation
Consumer inflation (as measured by the change in the consumer price index, or “CPI”) for 2014 was 3.7% compared to 1.9% in 2013. The 12-month change in the CPI as of August 31, 2015 was 4.7%.
Producer price inflation (as measured by the change in the producer price index, or “PPI”) for 2014 was 6.3% compared to negative 0.5% for 2013.
In February 2015, DANE introduced a new methodology for calculating the producer price index (“PPI”) based on recommendations from the IMF, the OECD andBanco de la República. While the old methodology measured the average monthly change in prices of a basket of domestic supply of goods in the first stage of commercialization, including goods produced and sold by national companies and importers, the new methodology measures the average monthly change in prices of a basket of goods produced domestically. The new methodology has been applied to figures beginning in January 2015. As of August 31, 2015, the year-to-date PPI was 2.01%.
The average short-term composite reference rate (depósitos a término fijo, or “DTF”) decreased from 4.2% in 2013 to 4.1% in 2014. The average DTF for 2015 (as of September 7, 2015) was 4.45%.
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The following table shows changes in the CPI and the PPI and average 90-day deposit rates for the periods indicated.
Inflation and Interest Rates
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period | | Consumer Price Index (CPI) | | | Producer Price Index (PPI)(1) | | | Short-Term Reference Rate (DTF)(2) | |
2010 | | | 3.2 | | | | 4.4 | | | | 3.7 | |
2011 | | | 3.7 | | | | 5.5 | | | | 4.2 | |
2012 | | | 2.4 | | | | (3.0 | ) | | | 5.4 | |
2013 | | | 1.9 | | | | (0.1 | ) | | | 5.1 | |
2014 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
January | | | 2.1 | | | | 1.00 | | | | 4.0 | |
February | | | 2.3 | | | | 1.90 | | | | 4.0 | |
March | | | 2.5 | | | | 2.58 | | | | 3.9 | |
April | | | 2.7 | | | | 3.18 | | | | 3.8 | |
May | | | 2.9 | | | | 3.26 | | | | 3.8 | |
June | | | 2.8 | | | | 1.99 | | | | 3.9 | |
July | | | 2.9 | | | | 1.96 | | | | 4.1 | |
August | | | 3.0 | | | | 2.45 | | | | 4.0 | |
September | | | 2.9 | | | | 2.63 | | | | 4.3 | |
October | | | 3.3 | | | | 4.20 | | | | 4.3 | |
November | | | 3.7 | | | | 3.73 | | | | 4.4 | |
December | | | 3.7 | | | | 6.02 | | | | 4.3 | |
2015 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
January | | | 3.8 | | | | (1.28 | ) | | | 4.5 | |
February | | | 4.4 | | | | (3.23 | ) | | | 4.5 | |
March | | | 4.6 | | | | 0.44 | | | | 4.4 | |
April | | | 4.6 | | | | (0.92 | ) | | | 4.5 | |
May | | | 4.4 | | | | (0.95 | ) | | | 4.4 | |
June | | | 4.4 | | | | 1.07 | | | | 4.4 | |
July | | | 4.5 | | | | 2.33 | | | | 4.5 | |
August | | | 4.7 | | | | 4.39 | | | | 4.5 | |
1: | Percentage change over the previous twelve months at the end of each month indicated, except for 2015 which registers percentage change from previous month. Figures for 2015 apply the new methodology announced by DANE as described above. |
2: | Average for each of the years 2010-2013 and, for each indicated month in 2014 and 2015, year-on-year of the DTF, as calculated by the Financial Superintendency. |
Sources: DANE andBanco de la República.
On August 1, 2014, due to continued weakness in global demand and lower oil and raw material prices,Banco de la Repúblicaincreased the discount rate by 25 basis points to 4.25%. On September 1, 2014,Banco de la Repúblicaincreased the discount rate to 4.5% to combat higher seasonal inflation in entertainment services (2.8%) and transportation (3.2%) in the last quarter of the year. Through August 2015,Banco de la República maintained the interest rate at 4.5% due to a smaller increase in inflation than had been projected, lower economic growth in the United States and the Euro Zone, the risk of a greater deterioration in the Chinese economy, including the recent Yuan devaluation, low oil prices, low international demand and a possible increase in the United States interest rates by the Federal Reserve.
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Foreign Exchange Rates and International Reserves
Exchange Rates
On September 21, 2015, the Representative Market Rate published by the Financial Superintendency for the payment of obligations denominated in U.S. dollars was Ps. 2,984.90=U.S.$1.00, as compared to Ps. 1,966.89=U.S.$1.00 on September 21, 2014. During the 12-month period ended September 21, 2015, the Representative Market Rate reached a high of Ps. 3,238.51=U.S.$1.00 on August 27, 2015 and a low of Ps. 1,966.89=U.S.$1.00 on September 21, 2014.
International reserves.
Banco de la República’sgross international reserves increased from $28,463.5 million at December 31, 2010 to $32,302.9 million at December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2012, gross international reserves further increased by $5,171.2 million to $37,474.1 million and by December 31, 2013, gross international reserves were $43,639.3 million. As of December 31, 2014, gross international reserves increased by $3,688.8 million to $47,328.1 million. As of August 31, 2015, gross international reserves were U.S.$46,710.16 million compared to U.S.$46,712.15 million as of August 31, 2014, a 0.0043% decrease.
The increase in international reserves in 2010 was mainly due to intervention byBanco de la República in the foreign exchange market and the increase in special drawing rights (SDR) allocated by the IMF. In December 2011,Banco de la República decided to resume the accumulation of international reserves mainly due to three factors: low interest rates in the developed economies, a decision to have a more conservative risk profile of the central bank’s portfolio and the depreciation of the euro against the dollar by 3% in 2011. During 2012 and 2013,Banco de la República continued accumulating international reserves mainly due to the adoption of a conservative risk profile in light of the global financial crisis. In July 2014, Banco de la República decided to increase the daily amount of dollar purchases and continued accumulating international reserves, in an amount totaling $2.0 billion between July and September 2014, buying at least $30 million daily. During October 2014, Banco de la República resumed accumulating international reserves through average daily purchases of $10.0 million in competitive auctions. In November 2014, Banco de la Repúblicapurchased $ 165.0 million in the foreign exchange market through the auction mechanism of direct purchase. From January 2014 to December 2014, Banco de la República accumulated $4.1 billion. As of February 2015,Banco de la República decided not to continue increasing international reserves. Year-to-date, Banco de la República has not made purchases of foreign exchange.
As established by Decree 4712 of 2008 and in accordance with the technical criteria established by Resolution No. 262 of February 11, 2011, which governs the administration of excess liquidity, the General Directorate of Public Credit and the National Treasury is allowed to perform any transaction that Colombia may require in the foreign exchange market, including the purchase of foreign exchange in such amounts and at such times as it may determine from time to time and derivatives operations that consist of swaps and forward contracts over foreign exchange. As of August 2015, the General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury had no current position in swaps and forward contracts over foreign exchange.
On May 22, 2012, the Government issued Decree 1076 of 2012, which established a system to administer the “Fondo de Ahorro y Estabilización del Sistema General de Regalías,” or Savings and Stabilization Fund. Based on Legislative Act No. 05 of 2011, up to 30% of the income from the General System of Royalties will be disbursed to the Savings and Stabilization Fund. The General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury is responsible for transferring such royalties to the Savings and Stabilization Fund, which is managed by Banco de la República. For this purpose, the General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury, at its sole discretion, may buy dollars in the secondary market. Royalties are derived from natural resources, such as oil, coal and other mining activities. As of August 28, 2015, royalties reached an aggregate amount of Ps. 32.4 trillion since inception and, as of June 30, 2015, transfers in dollars into the Savings and Stabilization Fund since inception were $2.8 billion.
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Public Sector Finance
General
In 2014, the Central Government deficit was 2.4% of GDP compared to a deficit of 2.3% of GDP in 2013. The Central Government deficit for 2014 was Ps. 18,356 billion, an increase of 10.3% from the Ps. 16,645 billion deficit registered in 2013. Central Government revenues increased by 5.1%, from Ps. 119,744 billion in 2013 to Ps. 125,904 billion in 2014, while Central Government expenditures increased by 7.5%, from Ps. 134,965 billion in 2013 to Ps. 145,132 billion in 2014. The increase in expenditures was primarily due to increases in operating and interest expenditures.
The Government currently projects a Central Government deficit in 2015 of 3.0% of GDP. However, no assurance can be given concerning actual results for the 2015 period and beyond.
The 2015 budget is based on the following principal budget assumptions:
Principal 2015 Budget Assumptions
| | | | |
| | 2015 Budget Assumptions as of June 2015(1) | |
Gross Domestic Product | | | | |
Nominal GDP (billions of pesos) | | | 806.87 | |
Real GDP Growth | | | 3.6 | % |
Inflation(2) | | | | |
Domestic Inflation (consumer price index) | | | 4.0 | % |
External Inflation(3) | | | 0.5 | % |
Real Devaluation at end of period | | | 20.6 | % |
Export Prices | | | | |
Coffee (ex-dock) ($/lb.) (4) | | | 1.8 | |
Oil ($/barrel)(5) | | | 48.0 | |
Coal ($/ton)(6) | | | 61.6 | |
Gold ($/Troy oz.) (4) | | | 1,200.0 | |
1: | Figures correspond to statistics released by the General Directorate of Macroeconomic Policy in June 2015 in connection with the release of the Medium Term Fiscal Plan 2015. |
3: | “External Inflation” is based on projected inflation in the United States as published in the IMF, World Economic Outlook Database, April 2015. |
4: | Budget assumptions based onBanco de la Repúblicadata. |
5: | Based on inputs provided by the Mining and Energy Technical Group established by the Fiscal Rule and oil futures market. Projections include an average price of Brent oil of $60 per barrel. |
6: | Based on projections by the General Directorate of Macroeconomic Policy. |
Sources: General Directorate of Macroeconomic Policy, Ministry of Finance.
The figures set forth in this “—Public Sector Finance” section represent the Government’s forecast as of June 15, 2015 of the 2015 Colombian economy. While the Government believes that these assumptions and targets were reasonable when made, some are beyond the control or significant influence of the Government, and actual outcomes will depend on future events. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that economic results will not differ materially from the figures set forth above.
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Privatization of Isagen
On July 30, 2013, the Government announced its intention to sell its remaining interest inIsagen (57.7% of the total shares ofIsagen). On August 12, 2014, the Government decided to extend the privatization ofIsagen up to a year because several bidders requested additional time to review the decision to acquire a controlling interest inIsagen and the extra time would allow for the completion of the Sogamoso hydroelectric project.
On May 14, 2015, the State Council ordered a temporary suspension of the sale of Isagen. The suspension was ordered to avoid further damage to the public interest. The Government postponed the auction to private investors scheduled for May 19, 2015. On September 10, 2015, the State Council decided to lift the suspension measure taken on May 14, 2015 and allow the Government to proceed with the sale.
Flexible credit line with the IMF
On June 24, 2013, the IMF’s Executive Board approved a two-year SDR 3.87 billion successor arrangement under the Flexible Credit Line, which at June 24, 2013 was equivalent to approximately $5.84 billion. On June 17, 2015, the IMF’s executive board approved a two-year SDR 3.87 billion successor arrangement under the IMF’s Flexible Credit Line, which at June 17, 2015 was equivalent to approximately $5.45 billion. To date, Colombia has not drawn on the Flexible Credit Line. The Government intends to treat the credit line as precautionary and does not plan to draw on the facility.
Public Sector Debt
Colombia’s ratio of total net non-financial public sector debt to GDP was 35.6% in 2010, decreased to 34.1% in 2011 and increased to 32.6% in 2012 and to 34.6% in 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the ratio of total net non-financial public sector debt to GDP increased to 38.3%, mainly due to the increase in debt of the Central Government.
Public sector internal debt
As of August 31, 2015, the Central Government’s total direct internal funded debt (with an original maturity of more than one year) was Ps. 212.5 trillion, compared to Ps. 204.2 trillion as of August 31, 2014. The following table shows the direct internal funded debt of the Central Government as of August 31, 2015 by type:
Central Government: Internal Public Funded Debt—Direct Funded Debt
| | | | |
| | At August 31, 2015 (in millions of dollars) | |
Treasury Bonds | | | Ps. 200,008,148 | |
Pension Bonds | | | 10,669,966 | |
Tĺtulos de Reducción de Deuda (TRD) | | | 451,352 | |
Peace Bonds | | | 8,308 | |
Constant Value Bonds | | | 1,127,098 | |
Banco Agrario | | | — | |
Others(1) | | | 280,266 | |
Security Bonds | | | 125 | |
Total | | | Ps. 212,545,263 | |
| | | | |
Total may differ due to rounding.
(1) | Includes other assumed debt. |
Source: Deputy Directorate of Risk—Ministry of Finance.
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Total direct internal floating debt (i.e., short-term debt with an original maturity of one year or less) of the Central Government was Ps. 44.9 billion as of August 31, 2015.
Public sector external debt
The following tables show the total external funded debt of the public sector (with an original maturity of more than one year) by type and by creditor:
Public Sector External Funded Debt by Type (1)
| | | | | | | | |
| | As of July 31, 2014 | | | As of July 31, 2015 | |
| | (in millions of U.S. dollars) | |
Central Government | | U.S. $ | 37,137 | | | U.S. $ | 39,054 | |
Public Entities(2) | | | | | | | | |
Guaranteed | | | 1,818 | | | | 1,653 | |
Non-Guaranteed | | | 16,333 | | | | 21,870 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total External Funded Debt | | U.S. $ | 55,289 | | | U.S. $ | 62,576 | |
| | | | | | | | |
(1) | Provisional; subject to revision. Includes debt with an original maturity of more than one year. Debt in currencies other than U.S. dollars has been converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates as of July 31, 2014 and July 31, 2015, respectively. |
(2) | Includes Banco de la República, public agencies and entities, departments and municipal governments and state-owned financial entities. |
Source: Debt Database—Ministry of Finance.
Public Sector External Funded Debt by Creditor(1)
| | | | | | | | |
| | As of July 31, 2014 | | | As of July 31, 2015 | |
| | (in millions of U.S. dollars) | |
Multilaterals | | U.S. $ | 15,739 | | | U.S. $ | 16,211 | |
IDB | | | 7,015 | | | | 7,127 | |
World Bank | | | 7,536 | | | | 8,031 | |
Others | | | 1,188 | | | | 1,053 | |
Commercial Banks | | | 2,795 | | | | 5,249 | |
Export Credit Institutions | | | 2,736 | | | | 2,671 | |
Bonds | | | 32,625 | | | | 36,494 | |
Foreign Governments | | | 714 | | | | 1,281 | |
Suppliers | | | 3 | | | | 2 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | U.S. $ | 54,613 | | | U.S. $ | 78,119 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total may differ due to rounding.
(1) | Provisional, subject to revision. Debt with an original maturity of more than one year. Debt in currencies other than U.S. dollars has been converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates as of July 31, 2014 and July 31, 2015, respectively. |
Source: Debt Registry Office Ministry of Finance.
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As of May 31, 2015, floating (i.e., short-term debt with an original maturity of one year or less) public sector external debt totaled U.S. $513 million.
On January 28, 2014, Colombia issued U.S. $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.625% Global Bonds due 2044.
On October 28, 2014, Colombia issued U.S. $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.000% Global Bonds due 2024 and U.S. $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.625% Global Bonds due 2044 in a reopening of each such series.
On January 28, 2015, Colombia issued U.S. $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.000% Global Bonds due 2045. On March 26, 2015, Colombia issued U.S. $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.000% Global Bonds due 2045 in a reopening of such series.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS
This prospectus supplement describes the terms of the bonds in greater detail than the accompanying prospectus and may provide information that differs from the accompanying prospectus. If the information in this prospectus supplement differs from the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.
Colombia will issue the bonds under an indenture, dated as of January 28, 2015, as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture dated as of September 8, 2015, each between Colombia and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The information contained in this section and in the accompanying prospectus summarizes some of the terms of the bonds and the indenture. Because this is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you as a potential investor in the bonds. Therefore, you should read the indenture and the form of the bonds in making your investment decision. Colombia has filed copies of these documents with the SEC and also filed copies of these documents at the offices of the trustee and the paying agents.
General Terms of the Bonds
The bonds offered by this prospectus supplement will:
| • | | be issued on September 28, 2015, in an initial aggregate principal amount of U.S. $1,500,000,000; |
| • | | mature at par on January 28, 2026; |
| • | | be issued in denominations of U.S. $200,000 and integral multiples of U.S. $1,000 in excess thereof; |
| • | | bear interest at 4.500% per year, accruing from September 28, 2015; |
| • | | pay interest in U.S. dollars on January 28 and July 28 of each year. The first interest payment will be made on January 28, 2016. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months; |
| • | | pay interest to persons in whose names the bonds are registered at the close of business on January 13 or July 13, as the case may be, preceding each payment date; |
| • | | be represented by one or more global securities in fully registered form only, without coupons; |
| • | | be registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust Company, known as DTC, and recorded on, and transferred through, the records maintained by DTC and its participants, including the depositaries for Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System plc (“Euroclear”), and Clearstream Banking,société anonyme(“Clearstream, Luxembourg”); |
| • | | be available in definitive, certificated form only under certain limited circumstances; |
| • | | be redeemable at the option of Colombia, in whole or in part, before maturity, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice on the terms described under “—Optional Redemption”; and |
| • | | not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. |
The public offering price is 98.762%, and the resulting yield to maturity (calculated on a semi-annual basis) is 4.653%. The yield is calculated on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) on the issue date on the basis of the public offering price. It is not an indication of future yield.
Optional Redemption
Prior to October 28, 2025 (3 months prior to the maturity date of the bonds), the bonds will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at Colombia’s option, on not less than 30 nor more than 60
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days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the bonds and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the bonds (excluding the portion of any such interest accrued to the redemption date) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Yield (as defined below), plus 40 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.
At any time on or after October 28, 2025 (3 months prior to the maturity date of the bonds), the bonds will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at Colombia’s option, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the bonds to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional amounts, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
For this purpose, the following terms have the following meanings:
| • | | “Treasury Yield” means, with respect to the redemption date, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated (on a day-count basis) yield to maturity of the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for such Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the applicable Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. |
| • | | “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker appointed by Colombia as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the bonds, or such other maturity that would be utilized at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of investment grade debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the bonds. |
| • | | “Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, or (2) if Colombia obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations. |
| • | | “Independent Investment Banker” means either Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, or their respective successors or, if such firms are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, one of the remaining Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by Colombia. |
| • | | “Reference Treasury Dealer” means (1) either Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or their affiliates and any other primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) designated by, and not affiliated with, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated; provided, however, that if Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or any of their respective affiliates shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, Colombia will appoint another Primary Treasury Dealer as a substitute for such entity and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by Colombia. |
| • | | “Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by Colombia, of the bid and asked prices for the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed, in each case, as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to Colombia by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m. (New York time) on the third business day preceding such redemption date. |
Colombia will mail, or cause to be mailed, a notice of redemption to each holder by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, to the address of each holder as
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it appears on the register maintained by the registrar. A notice of redemption will specify the redemption date and may provide that it is subject to certain conditions that will be specified in the notice. If those conditions are not met, the redemption notice will be of no effect and Colombia will not be obligated to redeem the bonds.
In the event that fewer than all of the bonds are to be redeemed at any time, selection of bonds for redemption will be made in compliance with the requirements governing redemptions of the principal securities exchange, if any, on which bonds are listed or if such securities exchange has no requirement governing redemption or the bonds are not then listed on a securities exchange, by lot (or, in the case of bonds issued in global form, based on the applicable procedures of DTC). If bonds are redeemed in part, the remaining outstanding amount of any bond must be at least equal to U.S. $200,000 and be an integral multiple of U.S. $1,000.
Unless Colombia defaults in the payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the bonds called for redemption.
Payment of Principal and Interest
Colombia will make payments of principal and interest on the bonds represented by global securities by wire transfer of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds to DTC or to its nominee as the registered holder of the bonds, which will receive the funds for distribution to the owners of beneficial interests in the bonds. Colombia will make these payments by making the funds available to the trustee in time for payments to be made on the bonds when due by the trustee or another paying agent.
Colombia has been informed by DTC that the owners will be paid in accordance with the procedures of DTC and its participants. None of Colombia, the trustee or any paying agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any of the records of, or payments made by, DTC or its nominee.
If the bonds are issued in definitive, certificated form, Colombia will make its interest and principal payments to you, if you are the person in whose name the certificated bonds are registered, by wire transfer if:
| • | | you own at least U.S. $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the bonds; and |
| • | | not less than 15 days before the payment date, you notify the trustee or any paying agent of your election to receive payment by wire transfer and provide it with your bank account information and wire transfer instructions; |
or
| • | | Colombia is making such payments at maturity; and |
| • | | you surrender the certificated bonds at the corporate trust office of the trustee or at the offices of one of the other paying agents that Colombia appoints pursuant to the indenture. |
Colombia will make these payments by making the funds available to the trustee in time for payments to be made on the bonds when due by the trustee or another paying agent. If Colombia does not pay interest by wire transfer for any reason, it will, subject to applicable laws and regulations, mail or cause to be mailed a check on or before the due date for the payment. The check will be mailed to you at your address as it appears on the security register maintained by the trustee on the applicable record date. If you hold your bonds through DTC, the check will be mailed to DTC, as the registered owner.
If any date for an interest or principal payment is a day on which the law (or an executive order) at the place of payment permits or requires banking or trust institutions to close, Colombia will make the payment on the next following business day at such place. Colombia will treat those payments as if they were made on the due date, and no interest on the bonds will accrue as a result of the delay in payment.
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Paying Agents and Transfer Agents
Until all of the bonds are paid, Colombia will maintain a paying agent in The City of New York. Colombia has initially appointed The Bank of New York Mellon to serve as its paying agent. In addition, Colombia will maintain a paying agent and a transfer agent in Luxembourg where the bonds can be presented for transfer or exchange for so long as any of the bonds are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of the exchange so require. Colombia has initially appointed The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A. to serve as its Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent. You can contact the paying agents and transfer agents at the addresses listed on the inside back cover of this prospectus supplement.
Notices
Colombia will mail any notices to the holders of the bonds at the addresses appearing in the security register maintained by the trustee. Colombia will consider a notice to be given at the time it is mailed. So long as the bonds are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of the exchange so require, Colombia will also publish notices to the holders in a leading newspaper having general circulation in Luxembourg or on the website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at http://www.bourse.lu. If publication in a leading newspaper in Luxembourg or on the website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at http://www.bourse.lu is not practicable, Colombia will give notices in an English language newspaper with general circulation in the respective market regions or in another way consistent with the rules of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
Registration and Book-Entry System
Colombia will issue the bonds in the form of one or more fully registered global securities, registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Financial institutions, acting as direct and indirect participants in DTC, will hold your beneficial interests in a global security. These financial institutions will record the ownership and transfer of your beneficial interests through book-entry accounts, eliminating the need for physical movement of bonds.
If you wish to purchase bonds under the DTC system, you must either be a direct participant in DTC or make your purchase through a direct participant in DTC. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations which have accounts with DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg participate in DTC through their New York depositaries. Indirect participants are securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that do not have an account with DTC, but that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant. Thus, indirect participants have access to the DTC system through direct participants. The SEC has on file a set of the rules applicable to DTC and its participants.
You may hold your beneficial interest in a global security through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in these systems. Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg will hold their participants’ beneficial interests in a global security in their customers’ securities accounts with their depositaries. These depositaries of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg in turn will hold such interests in their customers’ securities accounts with DTC. Euroclear’s or Clearstream, Luxembourg’s ability to take actions as a holder under the bonds or the indenture will be limited by the ability of their respective depositaries to carry out actions for them through DTC.
In sum, you may elect to hold your beneficial interests in the global security:
| • | | in the United States, through DTC; |
| • | | in Europe, through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, which in turn will hold their interests through DTC; or |
| • | | through organizations that participate in any of these systems. |
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Certificated Bonds
Colombia will issue bonds in certificated form in exchange for a global security only if :
| • | | the depositary notifies Colombia that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary, is ineligible to act as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Colombia does not appoint a successor depositary or clearing agency within 90 days; |
| • | | the trustee has instituted or has been directed to institute any judicial proceeding to enforce the rights of the holders under the bonds and has been advised by its legal counsel that it should obtain possession of the securities for the proceeding; or |
| • | | Colombia elects not to have the bonds represented by a global security or securities. |
If a physical or certificated security becomes mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen, Colombia may execute, and the trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a substitute security in replacement. In each case, the affected holder will be required to furnish to Colombia and to the trustee an indemnity under which it will agree to pay Colombia, the trustee and any of their respective agents for any losses that they may suffer relating to the security that was mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen. Colombia and the trustee may also require that the affected holder present other documents or proof. The affected holder may be required to pay all taxes, expenses and reasonable charges associated with the replacement of the mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen security.
If Colombia issues certificated securities, a holder of certificated securities may exchange them for securities of a different authorized denomination by submitting the certificated securities, together with a written request for an exchange, at the office of the trustee as specified in the indenture in New York City, or at the office of any transfer agent. In addition, the holder of any certificated security may transfer it in whole or in part by surrendering it at any of such offices together with an executed instrument of transfer.
Colombia will not charge the holders for the costs and expenses associated with the exchange, transfer or registration of transfer of certificated securities. Colombia may, however, charge the holders for certain delivery expenses as well as any applicable stamp duty, tax or other governmental or insurance charges. The trustee may reject any request for an exchange or registration of transfer of any security made within 15 days of the date for any payment of principal of, or premium or interest on the securities.
Jurisdiction; Enforceability of Judgments
Colombia is a foreign sovereign. It may, therefore, be difficult for investors to obtain or enforce judgments against Colombia.
Colombia will appoint the Consul General of Colombia in The City of New York and his or her successors from time to time as its process agent for any action arising out of or based on the bonds instituted in any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.
Colombia will irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and the courts of Colombia that sit in Bogota D.C. in respect of any action brought by a holder based on the bonds. Colombia will also irrevocably waive any objection to the venue of any of these courts in an action of that type. Holders of the bonds may, however, be precluded from initiating actions arising out of or based on the bonds in courts other than those mentioned above.
Subject to the next sentence hereof, Colombia will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, irrevocably waive and agree not to plead any immunity from the jurisdiction of any of the above courts in any action based upon the bonds. This waiver covers Colombia’s sovereign immunity and immunity from prejudgment attachment, post-
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judgment attachment and execution, except as provided under (i) Articles 192, 195, 298 and 299 of Law 1437 of 2011 (Código de Procedimiento Administrativo y de lo Contencioso Administrativo), (ii) Articles 684 and 513 of the Colombian Civil Procedure Code (Código de Procedimiento Civil) (which will be gradually superseded by Articles 593, 594 and 595 et al subject to the entry into force of Law 1564 of 2012 (Código General del Proceso) pursuant to the terms of article 627, paragraph 6 thereof) and (iii) Article 19 of Decree 111 of January 15, 1996, pursuant to which the revenues, assets and property of the Republic located in Colombia are not subject to execution, set-off or attachment.
Nevertheless, Colombia reserves the right to plead sovereign immunity under the U.S. Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, as amended (the “Immunities Act”), in actions brought against it under the United States federal securities laws or any state securities laws. Colombia’s appointment of its process agent will not extend to these actions. Without Colombia’s waiver of immunity, you will not be able to obtain a United States judgment against Colombia in such actions unless the court determines that Colombia is not entitled under the Immunities Act to sovereign immunity. In addition, execution upon property of Colombia located in the United States to enforce a judgment obtained under the Immunities Act may not be possible except in the limited circumstances specified in the Immunities Act.
Even if you are able to obtain a judgment against Colombia in an action under the United States federal securities laws or any state securities laws, you might not be able to enforce it in Colombia. Your ability to enforce foreign judgments in Colombia is dependent, among other factors, on such judgments not violating the principles of Colombian public order. The Head or Acting Head of the Legal Affairs Group of the General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit of Colombia will render an opinion on this matter in connection with the issuance of the bonds.
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TAXATION
United States
The following discussion supplements the disclosure provided under the heading “Taxation—United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus. This discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of your purchase, ownership and disposition of a bond. The discussion is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the regulations, rulings and judicial decisions interpreting the Code as of the date that this prospectus supplement was issued. These authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified, possibly retroactively, so the discussion below might not be reliable in the future. This discussion does not cover any state, local or foreign tax issues, nor does it cover issues under the U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws.
Colombia has not sought any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in this discussion, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with all of such statements and conclusions.
This discussion deals only with holders that hold a bond as a capital asset as defined in the U.S. federal tax laws (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of the holder’s circumstances (for example, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code). This discussion also assumes that you are not subject to any special U.S. federal income tax rules, including, among others, the special tax rules applicable to:
| • | | dealers in securities or currencies; |
| • | | securities traders using a mark-to-market accounting method; |
| • | | banks or life insurance companies; |
| • | | persons subject to the alternative minimum tax; |
| • | | United States expatriates; |
| • | | persons that purchase or sell bonds as part of a wash sale for tax purposes; |
| • | | persons that purchase or sell bonds as part of a hedging transaction or as a position in a straddle or conversion transaction; |
| • | | U.S. Holders (as defined below) that do not use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency; or |
| • | | tax-exempt organizations. |
If any of these assumptions are not correct in your case, the purchase, ownership or disposition of a bond may have U.S. federal income tax consequences for you that differ from, or are not covered in, this discussion.
If a partnership (including any entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of a bond, the tax treatment of a partner in that partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Holders of bonds that are partnerships and partners in those partnerships should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchase, ownership and disposition of the bonds.
You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences to you of the purchase, ownership or disposition of a bond.
U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a “U.S. Holder,” meaning that you are the beneficial owner of a bond and you are:
| • | | an individual citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
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| • | | a corporation (or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| • | | an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| • | | a trust (A) if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over your administration and one or more “United States persons” as defined in the Code (each a “U.S. Person”) have authority to control all your substantial decisions, or (B) that was in existence on August 20, 1996 and has made a valid election under U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a domestic trust. |
If you are not a U.S. Holder, this discussion does not apply to you and you should refer to “––Non-U.S. Holders” below.
Payments of Interest. Payments or accruals of stated interest on a bond generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income. If you generally report your taxable income using the accrual method of accounting, you must include payments of interest in your income as they accrue. If you generally report your taxable income using the cash method of accounting, you must include payments of interest in your income when you actually or constructively receive them.
You must include any tax withheld from the interest payment as ordinary income even though you do not in fact receive it. You may be entitled to deduct or credit this tax, subject to applicable limits. You will also be required to include in income as interest any additional amounts paid with respect to withholding tax on the bonds, including withholding tax on payments of such additional amounts. For purposes of the foreign tax credit provisions of the Code, interest (including any additional amounts) on a bond generally will constitute foreign source income and will be categorized as passive or general category income depending on your circumstances.
Disposition of Bonds. If you sell or otherwise dispose of a bond, you generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between your “amount realized” and your “adjusted tax basis” in the bond. Your “amount realized” will be the value of what you receive for selling or otherwise disposing of the bond, other than amounts that represent interest that is due to you but that has not yet been paid (which will be taxed to you as ordinary interest income). Your “adjusted tax basis” in the bond will generally equal the amount that you paid for the bond.
Gain or loss from the sale or other disposition of a bond generally will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time you sell or dispose of the bond, you have held the bond for more than one year, or will be short-term capital gain or loss if you have held the bond for one year or less. Under the current tax law, net capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers may be taxed at lower rates than items of ordinary income. Your ability to offset capital losses against ordinary income is limited. Any capital gains or losses that arise when you sell or dispose of a bond generally will be treated as U.S. source income, or loss allocable to U.S. source income, for purposes of the foreign tax credit provisions of the Code.
Medicare Tax. A U.S. Holder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will be subject to a 3.8 percent tax on the lesser of (i) the U.S. Holder’s “net investment income” (or, in the case of an estate or trust, the “undistributed net investment income”) for the relevant taxable year and (ii) the excess of the U.S. Holder’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A U.S. Holder’s net investment income generally will include its interest income and its net gains from the disposition of the bonds, unless such interest income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). If you are an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in the bonds.
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Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets. Owners of “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year, or $75,000 at any time during the taxable year generally may be required to file information reports with respect to such assets with their U.S. federal income tax returns. Depending on your circumstances, higher threshold amounts may apply. “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts maintained by foreign financial institutions, as well as any of the following, but only if they are held for investment and not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions: (i) stocks and securities issued by non-U.S. persons, (ii) financial instruments and contracts that have non-U.S. issuers or counterparties, and (iii) interests in non-U.S. entities. The bonds may be treated as specified foreign financial assets and you may be subject to this information reporting regime. Failure to file information reports may subject you to penalties. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding your obligation to file information reports with respect to the bonds.
Non-U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a “Non-U.S. Holder,” meaning that you are a beneficial owner of a bond and are not a “U.S. Holder” as defined above.
“Payments of Interest” Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, on interest that you receive on a bond unless you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States and the interest on the bond is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as “effectively connected” to that trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, the interest is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed place of business maintained by you within the United States). If you are engaged in a U.S. trade or business and the interest income is deemed to be effectively connected to that trade or business, you generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that interest in the same manner as if you were a U.S. Holder. In addition, if you are a non-U.S. corporation, your interest income subject to tax in that manner may increase your liability under the U.S. branch profits tax currently imposed at a 30 percent rate (or, if attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you within the United States, a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty).
Disposition of Bonds. Subject to the backup withholding discussion below, you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax for any capital gain that you realize when you sell a bond unless:
| 1. | that gain is effectively connected for tax purposes to any U.S. trade or business you are engaged in; or |
| 2. | if you are an individual, you are present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year in which you sell the bond and either (i) you have a tax home (as defined in the Code) in the United States in the taxable year in which you sell the bond, or (ii) the gain is attributable to any office or other fixed place of business that you maintain in the United States. |
If you are a non-U.S. Holder described under (1) above, you generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such gain in the same manner as a U.S. Holder and, if you are a non-U.S. corporation, you may also be subject to the branch profits tax as described above. If you are a non-U.S. Holder described under (2) above, you generally will be subject to a flat 30 percent tax on the gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition of a bond, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses (notwithstanding the fact that you are not considered a U.S. resident for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest on a bond generally will be treated in the same manner as payments of interest made to you, as described above under “—Payments of Interest.”
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
If you are a noncorporate U.S. Holder, and unless you prove that you are exempt, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of principal and interest to you if such payments are made within the United States or by or through a custodian or nominee that is a “U.S. Controlled Person,” as defined below. Backup
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withholding will apply to such payments of principal and interest if you fail to (i) provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; (ii) certify that you are not subject to backup withholding; (iii) report all interest and dividend income required to be shown on your U.S. federal income tax returns; or (iv) demonstrate your eligibility for an exemption.
If you are a Non-U.S. Holder, you generally are exempt from these withholding and reporting requirements (assuming that the gain or income is otherwise exempt from U.S. federal income tax), but you may be required to comply with certification and identification procedures in order to prove your exemption. If you hold a bond through a foreign partnership, these certification procedures would generally be applied to you as a partner. If you are paid the proceeds of a sale or redemption of a bond effected at the U.S. office of a broker, you generally will be subject to the information reporting and backup withholding rules. In addition, the information reporting rules will apply to payments of proceeds of a sale or redemption effected at a foreign office of a broker that is a “U.S. Controlled Person,” as defined below, unless the broker has documentary evidence that the holder or beneficial owner is not a U.S. Holder or the holder or beneficial owner otherwise establishes an exemption. A U.S. Controlled Person is:
| • | | a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| • | | a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business for tax purposes for a specified three-year period; or |
| • | | a foreign partnership in which U.S. Persons hold more than 50% of the income or capital interests or which is engaged in a U.S. trade or business. |
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to you generally will be allowed as a refund or a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability as long as you provide the required information to the IRS in a timely manner.
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UNDERWRITING
Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated as of September 21, 2015, Colombia has agreed to sell to the underwriters named below, and the underwriters have severally agreed to purchase, the principal amount of the bonds indicated in the following table:
| | | | |
Underwriter | | Principal Amount | |
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC | | U.S. $ | 750,000,000 | |
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated | | | 750,000,000 | |
Total | | U.S. $ | 1,500,000,000 | |
| | | | |
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the bonds if any are purchased. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the offering of the bonds may be terminated. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC is located at 11 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010 and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated is located at One Bryant Park, New York, NY 10036. The underwriters may also offer and sell bonds through certain of their affiliates.
Colombia expects that delivery of the bonds will be made against payment for the bonds on or about September 28, 2015, which is the fifth business day following the date of this prospectus supplement (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+5”). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to that trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade bonds on the date of this prospectus supplement or the next succeeding business day will be required, by virtue of the fact that the bonds initially will settle on T+5, to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement and should consult their own advisor.
The underwriters propose to offer the bonds initially at the public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to securities dealers at that price less a selling concession of 0.15% of the principal amount of the bonds. The underwriters and any such securities dealers may allow a discount of 0.10% of the principal amount of the bonds on sales to other dealers. After the initial public offering of the bonds, the underwriters may change the public offering price and concession and discount to dealers.
Colombia has been advised by the underwriters that the underwriters intend to make a market in the bonds but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the bonds.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell the bonds in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of the bonds than they are required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the bonds while the offering is in progress.
These activities by the underwriters, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the bonds. As a result, the price of the bonds may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
Colombia has agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any of these liabilities.
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The underwriters and their affiliates may have engaged and may in the future continue to engage in transactions with and perform services for Colombia, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses, in addition to the underwriting of this offering. These transactions and services are carried out in the ordinary course of business.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of Colombia. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates has a lending relationship with Colombia, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to Colombia consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in Colombia’s securities, including potentially the bonds offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the bonds offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
The bonds are being offered for sale in jurisdictions in the United States and outside the United States where it is legal to make such offers. The underwriters have agreed that they will not offer or sell the bonds, or distribute or publish any document or information relating to the bonds, in any jurisdiction (including any Member State of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive) without complying with the applicable laws and regulations of that jurisdiction.
If you receive this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, then you must comply with the applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdiction where you (a) purchase, offer, sell or deliver the bonds or (b) possess, distribute or publish any offering material relating to the bonds. Your compliance with these laws and regulations will be at your own expense.
Each underwriter has agreed to comply with the selling restrictions set forth in this prospectus supplement which are as follows:
European Economic Area Selling Restrictions (EEA)
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each of the underwriters has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) it has not made and will not make an offer of the bonds which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:
(a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;
(b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives of Colombia for any such offer; or
(c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,
provided that no such offer of the bonds to the public shall require Colombia or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of bonds to the public” in relation to any bonds in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the bonds to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe
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the bonds, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, including by Directive 2010/73/EU), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of the bonds in any Relevant Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive, as implemented in that Relevant Member State, from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of the bonds. Accordingly, any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of the bonds which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for Colombia or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer. Neither Colombia nor any underwriter have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of bonds in circumstances in which an obligation arises for Colombia or any underwriter to publish a prospectus for such offer.
The above selling restriction is in addition to any other selling restrictions set forth herein.
United Kingdom
Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:
(a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, (“FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the bonds in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to Colombia; and
(b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the bonds in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are only being distributed to and are only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the FSMA (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The bonds will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire the bonds will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any of their contents.
Republic of Italy
The offering of bonds has not been registered with the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (“CONSOB”) pursuant to Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, no bonds may be offered, sold or delivered, nor copies of this Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus or any other documents relating to the bonds may not be distributed in Italy except:
(a) to “qualified investors”, as referred to in Article 100 of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the “Decree No. 58”) and defined in Article 26, paragraph 1, letter d) of CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of 29 October 2007, as amended (“Regulation No. 16190”) pursuant to Article 34-ter, paragraph 1, letter. b) of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended (“Regulation No. 11971”); or
(b) in any other circumstances where an express exemption from compliance with the offer restrictions applies, as provided under Decree No. 58 or Regulation No. 11971.
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Any offer, sale or delivery of the bonds or distribution of copies of this Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus or any other documents relating to the bonds in the Republic of Italy must be:
(a) made by investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended (the “Banking Law”), Decree No. 58 and Regulation No. 16190 and any other applicable laws and regulations;
(b) in compliance with Article 129 of the Banking Law, and the implementing guidelines of the Bank of Italy, as amended; and
(c) in compliance with any other applicable notification requirement or limitation which may be imposed, from time to time, by CONSOB or the Bank of Italy or other competent authority.
Please note that, in accordance with Article 100-bis of Decree No. 58, where no exemption from the rules on public offerings applies, the subsequent distribution of the bonds on the secondary market in Italy must be made in compliance with the public offer and the prospectus requirement rules provided under Decree No. 58 and Regulation No. 11971.
Furthermore, bonds which are initially offered and placed in Italy or abroad to qualified investors only but in the following year are regularly (“sistematicamente”) distributed on the secondary market in Italy to non qualified investors become subject to the public offer and the prospectus requirement rules provided under Decree No. 58 and Regulation No. 11971. Failure to comply with such rules may result in the sale of such bonds being declared null and void and in the liability of the intermediary transferring the bonds for any damages suffered by such non qualified investors.
Switzerland
This document is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the bonds described herein. The bonds may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the bonds constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated trading facility in Switzerland, and neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the bonds may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, nor the Republic nor the bonds have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. The bonds are not subject to the supervision by any Swiss regulatory authority, e.g., the Swiss Financial Markets Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and investors in the bonds will not benefit from protection or supervision by such authority.
Hong Kong
This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus neither constitute a “prospectus” (as defined in section 2(1) of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong)) (the “CWUMPO”), nor are they an advertisement, invitation or document containing an advertisement or invitation falling within the meaning of section 103 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the “SFO”). This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus are for distribution in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Hong Kong”) only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder. Each of the underwriters has represented, undertaken and agreed that (i) it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell in Hong Kong, by means of any document, the bonds other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder, or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a
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“prospectus” (as defined in the CWUMPO) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the CWUMPO, and (ii) it has not issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the bonds, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to bonds which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder.
Japan
The bonds have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the “FIEL”) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any bonds, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
Singapore
This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement, accompanying prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the bonds may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the bonds be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the bonds are subscribed or purchased in reliance on an exemption under Sections 274 or 275 of the SFA, the bonds shall not be sold within the period of six months from the date of the initial acquisition of the bonds, except to any of the following persons:
| (a) | an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA); |
| (b) | a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA); or |
| (c) | any person pursuant to an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) of the SFA, |
unless expressly specified otherwise in Section 276(7) of the SFA or Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulation 2005 of Singapore (“SFR”).
Where the bonds are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
| (a) | a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or |
| (b) | a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, |
securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six (6) months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the bonds pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:
| (1) | to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or (in the case of such corporation) where the transfer arises from an offer referred to in Section 276(3)(i)(B) of the |
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| SFA or (in the case of such trust) where the transfer arises from an offer referred to in Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA; |
| (2) | where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; |
| (3) | where the transfer is by operation of law; |
| (4) | as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or |
| (5) | as specified in Regulation 32 of the SFR. |
Chile
NOTICE TO CHILEAN INVESTORS
The offer of the bonds is subject to General Rule No. 336 of the SVS. The bonds being offered will not be registered under the Securities Market Law (Ley de Mercado de Valores) in the Securities Registry (Registro de Valores) or in the Foreign Securities Registry (Registro de Valores Extranjeros) of the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros (SVS) and, therefore, the bonds are not subject to the supervision of the SVS. As unregistered securities, we are not required to disclose public information about the bonds in Chile. Accordingly, the bonds cannot and will not be publicly offered to persons in Chile unless they are registered in the corresponding Securities Registry. The bonds may only be offered in Chile in circumstances that do not constitute a public offering under Chilean law or in compliance with General Rule No. 336 of the SVS. Pursuant to General Rule No. 336, the bonds may be privately offered in Chile to certain “qualified investors” identified as such therein (which in turn are further described in General Rule No. 216, dated June 12, 2008, of the SVS).
AVISO A INVERSIONISTAS CHILENOS
La oferta de los bonos se acoge a la Norma de Carácter General N°336 de la Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros. Los bonos que se ofrecen no están inscritos bajo la Ley de Mercado de Valores en el Registro de Valores o en el Registro de Valores Extranjeros que lleva la Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros, por lo que tales valores no están sujetos a la fiscalización de ésta. Por tratarse de valores no inscritos, no existe obligación por parte del emisor de entregar en Chile información pública respecto de estos valores. Los bonos no podrán ser objeto de oferta pública en Chile mientras no sean inscritos en el Registro de Valores correspondiente. Los bonos solo podrán ser ofrecidos en Chile en circunstancias que no constituyan una oferta pública o cumpliendo con lo dispuesto en la Norma de Carácter General N°336 de la Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros. En conformidad con lo dispuesto por la Norma de Carácter General N°336, los bonos podrán ser ofrecidos privadamente a ciertos “inversionistas calificados,” identificados como tal en dicha norma (y que a su vez están descritos en la Norma de Carácter General N°216 de la Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros de fecha 12 de junio de 2008).
Colombia
The bonds have not been and will not be registered in the Colombian National Registry of Securities and Issuers maintained by the SFC and may not be offered or sold publicly or otherwise be subject to brokerage activities in Colombia, except as permitted by Colombian law.
Peru
The bonds and the information contained in this offering memorandum have not been and will not be registered with or approved by Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores or the Lima Stock Exchange. Accordingly, the bonds cannot be offered or sold in Peru, except if such offering is a private offering under the securities laws and regulations of Peru. The Peruvian securities market law establishes that any offering may qualify as a private offering if it is directed exclusively to institutional investors.
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Canada
Canada
Resale Restrictions
The distribution of the bonds in Canada is being made only on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of bonds are made. Any resale of the bonds (or any securities issued in an exchange or a conversion of the bonds in accordance with the terms of the bonds) in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws, which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the bonds (or any securities issued in an exchange or a conversion of the bonds in accordance with the terms of the bonds).
Representations of Canadian Purchasers
By purchasing bonds in Canada and accepting delivery of a purchase confirmation, a purchaser is representing to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:
| • | | the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase the bonds without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws as it is an “accredited investor” as defined under applicable Canadian securities law including National Instrument 45-106 –Prospectus Exemptions, |
| • | | the purchaser is a “permitted client” as defined in National Instrument 31-103 -Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations, |
| • | | where required by law, the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent, and |
| • | | the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions. |
Conflicts of Interest
Canadian purchasers are hereby notified that the underwriters are relying on the exemption set out in section 3A.3 or 3A.4, if applicable, of National Instrument 33-105 –Underwriting Conflictsfrom having to provide certain conflict of interest disclosure in this document.
Statutory Rights of Action
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if the offering memorandum (including any amendment thereto) such as this document contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser of these securities in Canada should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Enforcement of Legal Rights
All of our directors and officers as well as the experts named herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.
Taxation and Eligibility for Investment
Canadian purchasers of bonds should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the bonds in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of the bonds for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Legislation
The creation and issue of the bonds have been authorized pursuant to: Law 533 of November 11, 1999, the surviving portions of Law 185 of January 27, 1995, the relevant portions of Law 80 of October 28, 1993, Law 781 of December 20, 2002, Law 1366 of December 21, 2009, Law 1624 of April 29, 2013, Decree 1068 of May 26, 2015, Authorization by Act of theComisión Interparlamentaria de Crédito Público adopted in its meeting held on February 25, 2015, External Resolution No. 11 dated July 31, 2015 of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Colombia, Resolution No. 3443 of September 17, 2015 of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, and CONPES documents No. 3818 and 3842 DNP, MINHACIENDA, dated October 2, 2014 and August 14, 2015, respectively.
For as long as the bonds are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of the exchange so require, (1) Colombia will provide for inspection copies of Colombia’s registration statement, the indenture and the underwriting agreement at the offices of the Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent during normal business hours on any weekday, (2) Colombia will make available copies of Colombia’s annual reports covering the last two fiscal years in English (as and when available), including the budget for the current fiscal year, at the offices of the Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent during normal business hours on any weekday and (3) Colombia will also make available, free of charge, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and copies of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus at the offices of the Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent. You may also obtain copies of this prospectus supplement together with the accompanying prospectus and any documents incorporated herein by reference from the website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at http://www.bourse.lu.
Authorization
As of September 21, 2015 Colombia has obtained all consents and authorizations that are necessary under Colombian law for (1) the issuance of the bonds and (2) Colombia’s performance of its obligations under the bonds and the indenture.
Litigation
Colombia is not involved and has not been involved in the past 12 months in any litigation or arbitration proceedings relating to claims or amounts that are material in the context of the issue of the bonds. Colombia is not aware of any such litigation or arbitration proceedings that are pending or threatened.
Clearing
The bonds have been accepted for clearing and settlement through DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg. The securities codes are:
| | | | | | |
| | CUSIP | | ISIN | | Common Code |
| | 195325 CX1 | | US195325CX13 | | 129873515 |
Validity of the Bonds
The validity of the bonds will be passed upon for Colombia by the Head of the Legal Affairs Group of the General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit of the Republic of Colombia and by Arnold & Porter LLP, 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, United States counsel to Colombia.
The validity of the bonds will be passed upon for the underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, United States counsel to the underwriters, and by Brigard & Urrutia, Calle 70 A No. 4-41, Bogotá D.C., Colombia, Colombian counsel to the underwriters.
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As to all matters of Colombian law, Arnold & Porter LLP may assume the correctness of the opinion of the Head of the Legal Affairs Group of the General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury, and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP may assume the correctness of that opinion and the opinion of Brigard & Urrutia.
As to all matters of United States law, the Head of the Legal Affairs Group of the General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury may assume the correctness of the opinion of Arnold & Porter LLP, and Brigard & Urrutia may assume the correctness of the opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. All statements with respect to matters of Colombian law in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been passed upon by the Head of the Legal Affairs Group of the General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury and Brigard & Urrutia and are made upon their authority.
No Material Interest
Colombia is not aware of any interest, including any conflicting interest, that is material to the issue/offer.
Authorized Representative
The authorized representative of Colombia in the United States of America is Maria Isabel Nieto Jaramillo, Consul General of the Republic of Colombia in The City of New York, whose address is 10 East 46th Street, New York, New York 10017.
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PROSPECTUS
Republic of Colombia
Debt Securities and
Warrants
Colombia may from time to time offer debt securities or warrants in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale and to be set forth in supplements to this prospectus. Colombia may sell securities having an aggregate principal amount of up to $5,780,559,172 (or its equivalent in other currencies) in the United States.
The securities will be direct, general, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated external indebtedness of Colombia and will be backed by the full faith and credit of Colombia. The securities rank and will rank without any preference among themselves and equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated external indebtedness of Colombia. It is understood that this provision shall not be construed so as to require Colombia to make payments under the securities ratably with payments being made under any other external indebtedness.
The securities will contain “collective action clauses,” unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Under these provisions, which differ from the terms of Colombia’s external indebtedness issued prior to January 28, 2015, Colombia may amend the payment provisions of the securities and other reserve matters listed in the indenture with the consent of the holders of: (1) with respect to a single series of securities, more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of such series; (2) with respect to two or more series of securities, if certain “uniformly applicable” requirements are met, more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of all series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate; or (3) with respect to two or more series of securities, more than 66 2/3% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of all series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate, and more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of each series affected by the proposed modification, taken individually.
Colombia may sell the securities directly, through agents designated from time to time or through underwriters.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus may not be used to make offers or sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.
The date of this prospectus is September 21, 2015.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that Colombia filed with the SEC under a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process Colombia may sell, from time to time, any of the debt securities or warrants described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total U.S. dollar equivalent amount of $5,780,559,172. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt securities and warrants Colombia may offer under this shelf process. Each time Colombia sells securities under this shelf process, it will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain updated information about Colombia, if necessary, and specific information about the terms of that offering.
Any information contained in this prospectus may be updated or changed in a prospectus supplement, in which case the more recent information will apply. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The following documents relating to Colombia’s debt securities or warrants may contain forward- looking statements:
| • | | any prospectus supplement; and |
| • | | the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. |
Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Colombia’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, assumptions, estimates and projections, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Colombia undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Colombia cautions you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include but are not limited to:
| • | | Adverse external factors, such as high international interest rates, low oil prices and recession or low growth in Colombia’s trading partners. High international interest rates could increase Colombia’s current account deficit and budgetary expenditures. Low oil prices could decrease the Government’s revenues and could also negatively affect the current account. Recession or low growth in Colombia’s trading partners could lead to fewer exports from Colombia and, therefore have a negative impact on Colombia’s growth. |
| • | | Adverse domestic factors, such as declines in foreign direct and portfolio investment, domestic inflation, high domestic interest rates, exchange rate volatility, political uncertainty and continuing insurgency in certain regions and adverse effects of climatic events. Each of these could lead to lower growth in Colombia and lower international reserves. |
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, Colombia will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general budgetary purposes.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
This prospectus provides you with a general description of securities that Colombia may offer. Each time Colombia sells securities, it will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If the information in this prospectus differs from any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
Debt Securities
Colombia will issue the debt securities under an indenture between Colombia and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. Colombia has filed the indenture (which may be supplemented from time to time) and the form of debt securities as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture pursuant to which they are issued. Debt securities may be issued pursuant to an indenture between Colombia and the trustee named therein. The following description summarizes some of the terms of the debt securities and the indenture. Given that it is only a summary, the description may not contain all of the information that is important to you as a potential investor in these debt securities.
Therefore, you should read the indenture and the form of the debt securities in making your decision on whether to invest in the debt securities. Colombia has filed or will file a copy of these documents with the SEC and will also file copies of these documents at the office of the trustee.
General Terms
The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities offered will include specific terms relating to the debt securities. These terms will include some or all of the following:
| • | | any limit on the aggregate principal amount; |
| • | | the maturity date or dates; |
| • | | if the debt securities bear interest, the interest rate, which may be fixed or floating, the date from which interest will accrue, the interest payment dates and the record dates for these interest payment dates; |
| • | | any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions; |
| • | | any provisions that allow Colombia to redeem the debt securities at its option; |
| • | | any provisions that entitle you to early repayment at your option; |
| • | | the currency or currencies that you may use to purchase the debt securities and that Colombia may use to pay principal, any premium and interest; |
| • | | the form of debt security (global or certificated and registered); |
| • | | the authorized denominations; |
| • | | any index Colombia will use to determine the amount of principal, any premium and interest payment; and |
| • | | any other terms of the debt securities that do not conflict with the provisions of the indenture. |
Colombia may issue debt securities in exchange for other debt securities or which are convertible into new debt securities. The specific terms of the exchange or conversion of any debt security and the debt security to which it will be exchangeable or converted will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the exchangeable or convertible debt security.
Colombia may issue debt securities at a discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. If applicable, Colombia will describe the United States federal income tax consequences and any other relevant considerations in the applicable prospectus supplement for any issuance of debt securities.
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Nature of Obligation
The debt securities constitute and will constitute direct, general, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated external indebtedness of Colombia and will be backed by the full faith and credit of Colombia. The debt securities rank and will rank without any preference among themselves and equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated external indebtedness of Colombia. It is understood that this provision will not be construed so as to require Colombia to make payments under the debt securities ratably with payments made under any other external indebtedness.
Form and Denomination
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement for an offering, Colombia will issue debt securities:
| • | | denominated in U.S. dollars; |
| • | | in fully registered book-entry form; |
| • | | in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. |
Payment of Principal and Interest
For each series of debt securities, Colombia will arrange for payments to be made on global debt securities by wire transfer to the applicable clearing system, or to its nominee or common depositary, as the registered owner or bearer of the debt securities, which will receive the funds for distribution to the holders. See “Description of the Securities—Global Securities” below.
Colombia will arrange for payments to be made on registered certificated debt securities on the specified payment dates to the registered holders of the debt securities. Colombia will arrange for such payments by wire transfer or by check mailed to the registered holders of the debt securities at their registered addresses. So long as the trustee has received from Colombia the funds required for the payment of the amounts due in respect of the debt securities and such funds are available to holders of the debt securities in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture and holders of the
debt securities are not prevented from claiming such funds in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture, Colombia shall not be considered to have defaulted in its obligation to make payment of such amounts on the date on which such amounts become due and payable.
Any money that Colombia pays to the trustee for payment on any debt security that remains unclaimed for two years will be returned to Colombia. Holders of any debt security will thereafter look only to the Republic for any payment which a Holder may be entitled to collect. To the extent permitted by law, claims against Colombia for the payment of principal, interest or other amounts will become void unless made within five years after the date on which the payment first became due, or a shorter period if provided by law.
Additional Amounts
Colombia will make all principal and interest payments on the debt securities of each series without deducting or withholding any present or future Colombian taxes, unless the deduction or withholding is required by law. In the event that Colombia is required to make any such deductions, it will pay the holders the additional amounts required to ensure that they receive the same amount as they would have received without this withholding or deduction.
Colombia will not, however, pay any additional amounts in connection with any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed due to any of the following:
| • | | the holder or beneficial owner has some present or former connection with Colombia other than merely holding the debt security or receiving principal and interest payments on the debt security; |
| • | | the holder or beneficial owner fails to comply with any certification, identification or other reporting requirement concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with Colombia of the holder or beneficial owner, if compliance is required by Colombia as a precondition to exemption from the deduction; or |
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| • | | the holder does not present (where presentment is required) its debt security within 30 days after Colombia makes a payment of principal or interest available. |
Redemption and Repurchase
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement for a series of debt securities, the debt securities will not be redeemable prior to maturity at the option of Colombia or repayable before maturity at the option of the holders. Nevertheless, Colombia may at any time purchase the debt securities and hold or resell them or surrender them to the trustee for cancellation.
Negative Pledge
Colombia will agree when it issues debt securities that as long as any of those debt securities remain outstanding, it will not create or permit to exist any lien (i.e., a lien, pledge, mortgage, security interest, deed of trust or charge), other than certain permitted liens, on its present or future revenues, properties or assets to secure its public external indebtedness, unless the debt securities are secured equally and ratably. As used in this prospectus, “public external indebtedness” means:
| • | | all actual and contingent obligations of Colombia for borrowed money or for the repayment of which Colombia is responsible that are payable, or at the option of the holder may be payable, in any currency other than Colombian currency; and |
| • | | that are in the form of bonds, debentures, notes or other securities that are or were intended at the time of issue by Colombia to be quoted, listed or traded or which are ordinarily purchased and sold on any securities exchange, automated trading system, over-the-counter or other securities market, including securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. |
Nevertheless, Colombia may create or permit to exist certain liens as described below:
| • | | liens created before the date of the indenture, including renewals or refinancings of those liens; provided, however, that any renewal or refinancing of any those liens secures only the renewal or extension of the original secured financing; |
| • | | any lien on property to secure public external indebtedness arising in the ordinary course of business to finance export, import or other trade transactions, which matures, after giving effect to all renewals and refinancings, not more than one year after the date on which this type of public external indebtedness was originally incurred; |
| • | | liens securing public external indebtedness incurred in connection with a project financing, as long as the security interest is limited to the assets or revenues of the project being financed. “Project financing” means any financing of all or part of the acquisition, construction or development costs of any project where the provider of the financing (a) agrees to limit its recourse to the project and the revenues of the project as the principal source of repayment and (b) has received a feasibility study prepared by competent independent experts on the basis of which it is reasonable to conclude that the project will generate sufficient foreign currency income to service substantially all public external indebtedness incurred in connection with the project; |
| • | | liens on any asset or property, and related revenues, to secure indebtedness borrowed for the purpose of financing the acquisition, development or construction of that asset or property; |
| • | | any renewal or extension of the above liens that is limited to the same asset or property, and related revenues, and that secures a renewal or extension of the original secured financing; |
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| • | | liens existing on any asset or property and any related revenues at the time of its acquisition and any renewal or extension of the above liens that is limited to the same asset or property and related revenues and that secures a renewal or extension of the original secured financing; and |
| • | | liens in addition to those permitted above, and any renewal or extension thereof; provided, that at any time the aggregate amount of public external indebtedness secured by such additional liens shall not exceed the equivalent of U.S.$14.768 billion. |
Default and Acceleration of Maturity
Each of the following shall be an event of default under a series of debt securities:
| 1. | Non-Payment:Colombia fails to pay any principal of or interest on any debt security of that series within 30 days of the date when the payment was due; or |
| 2. | Breach of Other Obligations: Colombia fails to perform any other material obligation contained in the debt securities of that series or the indenture and that failure continues for 60 days after the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series give written notice to Colombia to remedy the failure; or |
| 3. | Cross Default on Direct Obligations:Colombia fails to pay when due any public external indebtedness (other than public external indebtedness constituting guaranties by Colombia) with an aggregate principal amount greater than $20,000,000 or the equivalent, and that failure continues beyond any applicable grace period or waiver; or |
| 4. | Cross Default on Guaranties: Colombia fails to pay when due any public external indebtedness constituting guaranties by Colombia with an aggregate principal amount greater than $20,000,000 or the equivalent, and that failure continues until the earlier of (a) the expiration of the applicable grace period or 30 days after written notice, whichever is longer, or (b) the acceleration of the public external |
| indebtedness by any holder thereof and such acceleration shall not have been rescinded or annulled; or |
| 5. | Denial of Obligations:Colombia or any governmental entity of Colombia which has the legal power to contest the validity of the debt securities contests the validity of the debt securities of that series in any type of formal proceeding; or |
| 6. | Moratorium:Colombia declares a general suspension of payments or a moratorium on the payment of principal or interest on public external indebtedness which does not expressly exclude the debt securities of that series; or |
| 7. | IMF Membership:Colombia ceases to be a member of the IMF or ceases to be eligible to use the general resources of the IMF. |
If any of the events of default described above occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series then outstanding may declare all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by giving written notice to Colombia, with a copy to the trustee.
Holders holding debt securities representing in the aggregate more than 50% of the principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series may waive any existing defaults and their consequences on behalf of the holders of all of the debt securities of that series if:
| • | | following the declaration that the principal of the debt securities of that series has become due and payable immediately, Colombia deposits with the trustee a sum sufficient to pay all outstanding amounts then due on those debt securities (other than principal due by virtue of the acceleration upon the event of default) together with interest on such amounts through the date of the deposit as well as the reasonable fees and compensation of the holders that declared those notes due and payable, the trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel; and |
| • | | all events of default (other than non- payment of principal that became due by virtue of the acceleration upon the event of default) have been remedied. |
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Suits for Enforcement and Limitations on Suits by Holders
If an event of default for a series has occurred and is continuing, the trustee may, in its discretion, institute judicial action to enforce the rights of the holders of that series. With the exception of a suit to enforce the absolute right of a holder to receive payment of the principal of and interest on debt securities in the manner contemplated in the indenture and the securities on the stated maturity date therefor (as that date may be amended or modified pursuant to the terms of the debt securities, but without giving effect to any acceleration), a holder has no right to bring a suit, action or proceeding with respect to the debt securities of a series unless: (1) such holder has given written notice to the trustee that a default with respect to that series has occurred and is continuing; (2) holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of that series have instructed the trustee by specific written request to institute an action or proceeding and provided an indemnity satisfactory to the trustee; and (3) 60 days have passed since the trustee received the instruction, the trustee has failed to institute an action or proceeding as directed and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the trustee by a majority of holders of that series. Moreover, any such action commenced by a holder must be for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of debt securities of that series.
Meetings and Amendments—Collective Action Clause.
The debt securities will contain “collective action clauses”, which permit Colombia to amend the payment provisions and certain other “reserve matters” relating to the debt securities of a series with the consent of the holders of less than all of the affected series of debt securities. As described below, Colombia may amend such provisions of the debt securities with the consent of the holders of: (1) with respect to a single series of debt securities, more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of such series; (2) with respect to two or more series of debt securities, if certain “uniformly applicable” requirements are met, more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate; or (3) with respect to two or more series of debt securities, more than 66 2/3% of the aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate, and more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the proposed modification, taken individually.
Colombia may call a meeting of the holders of debt securities of a series at any time regarding the indenture or the debt securities of the series. Colombia will determine the time and place of the meeting. Colombia will notify the holders of the time, place and purpose of the meeting not less than 30 and not more than 60 days before the meeting.
In addition, Colombia or the trustee will call a meeting of holders of debt securities of a series if the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of all debt securities of the series then outstanding have delivered a written request to Colombia or the trustee (with a copy to Colombia) setting out the purpose of the meeting. Within 10 days of receipt of such written request or copy thereof, Colombia will notify the trustee and the trustee will notify the holders of the time, place and purpose of the meeting called by the holders, to take place not less than 30 and not more than 60 days after the date on which such notification is given.
Only holders and their proxies are entitled to vote at a meeting of holders. Colombia will set the procedures governing the conduct of the meeting and if additional procedures are required, Colombia will consult with the trustee to establish such procedures as are customary in the market.
Modifications may also be approved by holders of debt securities of a series pursuant to written action with the consent of the requisite percentage of debt securities of such series. Colombia will solicit the consent of the relevant holders to the modification not less than 10 and not more than 30 days before the expiration date for the receipt of such consents as specified by Colombia.
The holders may generally approve any proposal by Colombia to modify the indenture or the terms of the debt securities of a series with the affirmative vote (if approved at a meeting of the holders) or consent (if approved by written action) of holders of more than 50% of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of that series.
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However, holders may approve, by vote or consent through one of three modification methods, any proposed modification by Colombia that would do any of the following (such subjects referred to as “reserve matters”):
| • | | change the date on which any amount is payable on the debt securities; |
| • | | reduce the principal amount (other than in accordance with the express terms of the debt securities and the indenture) of the debt securities; |
| • | | reduce the interest rate on the debt securities; |
| • | | change the method used to calculate any amount payable on the debt securities (other than in accordance with the express terms of the debt securities and the indenture); |
| • | | change the currency or place of payment of any amount payable on the debt securities; |
| • | | modify Colombia’s obligation to make any payments on the debt securities (including any redemption price therefor); |
| • | | change the identity of the obligor under the debt securities; |
| • | | change the definition of “outstanding debt securities” or the percentage of affirmative votes or written consents, as the case may be, required to make a “reserve matter modification”; |
| • | | change the definition of “uniformly applicable” or “reserve matter modification”; |
| • | | authorize the trustee, on behalf of all holders of the debt securities, to exchange or substitute all the debt securities for, or convert all the debt securities into, other obligations or securities of Colombia or any other person; or |
| • | | change the legal ranking, governing law, submission to jurisdiction or waiver of immunities provisions of the terms of the debt securities. |
A change to a reserve matter, including the payment terms of any series of debt securities, can be made without your consent, as long as the change is approved, pursuant to one of the three following modification methods, by vote or consent by:
| • | | the holders of more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series affected by the proposed modification; |
| • | | where such proposed modification would affect the outstanding debt securities of two or more series, the holders of more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of all of the series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate, if certain “uniformly applicable” requirements are met; or |
| • | | where such proposed modification would affect the outstanding debt securities of two or more series, the holders of more than 66 2/3% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all of the series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate, andthe holders of more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modification, taken individually. |
“Uniformly applicable” means a modification by which holders of debt securities of all series affected by that modification are invited to exchange, convert or substitute their debt securities on the same terms for (x) the same new instruments or other consideration or (y) new instruments or other consideration from an identical menu of instruments or other consideration. It is understood that a modification will not be considered to be uniformly applicable if each exchanging, converting or substituting holder of debt securities of any series affected by that modification is not offered the same amount of consideration per amount of principal, the same amount of consideration per amount of interest accrued but unpaid and the same amount of consideration per amount of past due interest, respectively, as that offered to each other exchanging, converting or substituting holder of debt securities of any series affected by that modification
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(or, where a menu of instruments or other consideration is offered, each exchanging, converting or substituting holder of debt securities of any series affected by that modification is not offered the same amount of consideration per amount of principal, the same amount of consideration per amount of interest accrued but unpaid and the same amount of consideration per amount of past due interest, respectively, as that offered to each other exchanging, converting or substituting holder of debt securities of any series affected by that modification electing the same option under such menu of instruments).
Colombia may select, in its discretion, any modification method for a reserve matter modification in accordance with the indenture and to designate which series of debt securities will be included for approval in the aggregate of modifications affecting two or more series of debt securities. Any selection of a modification method or designation of series to be included will be final for the purpose of that vote or consent solicitation. If any one or more debt securities issued under the indenture prior to September 8, 2015 are included in a proposed modification affecting two or more series of debt securities under the indenture that seeks holder approval pursuant to a single aggregated vote, that modification will be uniformly applicable (as described above) to all such series, regardless of when they were issued.
Before soliciting any consent or vote of any holder of debt securities for any change to a reserve matter, Colombia will provide the following information to the trustee for distribution to the holders of debt securities of any series that would be affected by the proposed modification:
| • | | a description of Colombia’s economic and financial circumstances that are in Colombia’s opinion relevant to the request for the proposed modification, a description of Colombia’s existing debts and description of its broad policy reform program and provisional macroeconomic outlook; |
| • | | if Colombia shall at the time have entered into an arrangement for financial assistance with multilateral and/or other major creditors or creditor groups and/or an agreement with any such creditors |
| | regarding debt relief, (x) a description of any such arrangement or agreement and (y) where permitted under the information disclosure policies of the multilateral or other creditors, as applicable, a copy of the arrangement or agreement; |
| • | | a description of Colombia’s proposed treatment of external debt instruments that are not affected by the proposed modification and its intentions with respect to any other major creditor groups; and |
| • | | if Colombia is then seeking any reserve matter modification affecting any other series of debt securities, a description of that proposed modification. |
For purposes of determining whether the required percentage of holders of the debt securities of a series has approved any amendment, modification or change to, or waiver of, the debt securities or the indenture, or whether the required percentage of holders has delivered a notice of acceleration of the debt securities of that series, debt securities will be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding and may not be counted in a vote or consent solicitation for or against a proposed modification if on the record date for the proposed modification or other action or instruction hereunder, the debt security is held by Colombia or by a public sector instrumentality, or by a corporation, trust or other legal entity that is controlled by Colombia or a public sector instrumentality, except that (x) debt securities held by Colombia or any public sector instrumentality of Colombia or by a corporation, trust or other legal entity that is controlled by Colombia or a public sector instrumentality which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such debt securities and that the pledgee is not Colombia or a public sector instrumentality, and in case of a dispute concerning such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the trustee in accordance with such advice and any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters or information which is in the possession of the trustee, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by the trustee; and (y) in determining whether the trustee will be protected in relying upon any such action or instructions
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hereunder, or any notice from holders, only debt securities that a responsible officer of the trustee knows to be so owned or controlled will be so disregarded.
As used in the preceding paragraph, “public sector instrumentality” means any department, ministry or agency of Colombia, and “control” means the power, directly or indirectly, through the ownership of voting securities or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise, to direct the management of or elect or appoint a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions in lieu of, or in addition to, the board of directors of that legal entity.
Certain Amendments Not Requiring Holder Consent.
Colombia and the trustee may, without the vote or consent of any holder of debt securities of a series, amend the indenture or the debt securities of the series for the purpose of:
| • | | adding to Colombia’s covenants for the benefit of the holders; |
| • | | surrendering any of Colombia’s rights or powers with respect to the debt securities of that series; |
| • | | securing the debt securities of that series; |
| • | | curing any ambiguity or curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision in the debt securities of that series or the indenture; |
| • | | amending the debt securities of that series or the indenture in any manner that Colombia and the trustee may determine and that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holders of the debt securities of that series; or |
| • | | correcting a manifest error of a formal, minor or technical nature. |
Notices
Notices to the holders of debt securities will be mailed to the addresses of such holders as they appear in the register maintained by the trustee.
Further Issues of Debt Securities
From time to time, Colombia may, without the consent of holders of the debt securities of any series, create and issue additional debt securities with the same terms and conditions as those of the debt securities of that series (or the same except the amount of the first interest payment, the issue date and the issue price), provided, however, that any additional debt securities subsequently issued shall be fungible with the previously outstanding debt securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Additional debt securities issued in this manner will be consolidated with and will form a single series with the previously outstanding debt securities of that series.
Warrants
If Colombia issues warrants, it will describe their specific terms in a prospectus supplement. If any warrants are to be offered, Colombia will file a warrant agreement and form of warrant with the SEC. The following description briefly summarizes some of the general terms that will apply to warrants. You should read the applicable prospectus supplement, warrant agreement and form of warrant before making your investment decision.
Colombia may issue warrants separately or together with any debt securities. All warrants will be issued under a warrant agreement to be entered into between Colombia and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The applicable prospectus supplement will include some or all of the following specific terms relating to the warrants:
| • | | the initial offering price; |
| • | | the currency you must use to purchase the warrants; |
| • | | the title and terms of the debt securities or other consideration that you will receive on exercise of the warrants; |
| • | | the principal amount of debt securities or amount of other consideration that you will receive on exercise of the warrants; |
| • | | the exercise price or ratio; |
| • | | the procedures for, and conditions to the exercise of, the warrants; |
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| • | | the date or dates on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and expire; |
| • | | whether and under what conditions Colombia may terminate or cancel the warrants; |
| • | | the title and terms of any debt securities issued with the warrants and the amount of debt securities issued with each warrant; |
| • | | the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and any debt securities issued with such warrants will trade separately; |
| • | | the form of the warrants (global or certificated and registered or bearer), whether they will be exchangeable between such forms and, if registered, where they may be transferred and exchanged; |
| • | | the identity of the warrant agent; |
| • | | any special U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
| • | | any other terms of such warrants. |
Global Securities
DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform the procedures described below and they may modify or discontinue them at any time. None of Colombia, the trustee or any underwriter of securities named in a prospectus supplement will be responsible for DTC’s, Euroclear’s or Clearstream, Luxembourg’s performance of their obligations under their rules and procedures. Additionally, none of Colombia, the trustee or any underwriter of securities named in a prospectus supplement will be responsible for the performance by direct or indirect participants of their obligations under their rules and procedures.
Colombia may issue the debt securities or warrants in the form of one or more global securities, the ownership and transfer of which are recorded in computerized book-entry accounts, eliminating the need for physical movement of securities.
When Colombia issues global securities, it will deposit the applicable security with a clearing system. The global security will be registered in the
name of the clearing system or its nominee or common depositary. Unless a global security is exchanged for physical securities, as discussed below under “Description of the Securities—Certificated Securities,” it may not be transferred, except as a whole among the clearing system, its nominees or common depositaries and their successors. Clearing systems include The Depository Trust Company, known as DTC, in the United States, and Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, in Europe.
Clearing systems process the clearance and settlement of global notes for their direct participants. A “direct participant” is a bank or financial institution that has an account with a clearing system. The clearing systems act only on behalf of their direct participants, who in turn act on behalf of indirect participants. An “indirect participant” is a bank or financial institution that gains access to a clearing system by clearing through or maintaining a relationship with a direct participant. Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg are connected to each other by a direct link and participate in DTC through their New York depositaries, which act as links between the clearing systems. These arrangements permit you to hold global securities through participants in any of these systems, subject to applicable securities laws.
Ownership of Book-Entry Securities
If you wish to purchase global securities, you must either be a direct participant or make your purchase through a direct or indirect participant. Investors who purchase global securities will hold them in an account at the bank or financial institution acting as their direct or indirect participant. Holding securities in this way is called holding in “street name.”
When you hold securities in street name, you must rely on the procedures of the institutions through which you hold your securities to exercise any of the rights granted to holders. This is because the legal obligations of Colombia and the trustee run only to the registered owner of the global security, which will be the clearing system or its nominee or common depositary. For example, once Colombia and the trustee make a payment to the registered holder of a global security, they will no longer be liable for the payment, even if you do not receive it. In practice, the clearing systems will pass along any
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payments or notices they receive from Colombia to their participants, which will pass along the payments to you. In addition, if you desire to take any action which a holder of the global security is entitled to take, then the clearing system would authorize the participant through which you hold your global securities to take such action, and the participant would then either authorize you to take the action or would act for you on your instructions.
The transactions between you, the participants and the clearing systems will be governed by customer agreements, customary practices and applicable laws and regulations, and not by any legal obligation of Colombia or the trustee.
As an owner of securities represented by a global security, you will also be subject to the following restrictions:
| • | | you will not be entitled to (a) receive physical delivery of the securities in certificated form or (b) have any of the securities registered in your name except under the circumstances described below under “Description of the Securities— Certificated Securities”; |
| • | | you may not be able to transfer or sell your securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in certificated form; |
| • | | you may not be able to pledge your securities in circumstances where certificates must be physically delivered to the creditor or the beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective; and |
| • | | clearing systems require that global securities be purchased and sold within their systems using same-day funds, for example by wire transfer. |
Cross-Market Transfer, Clearance and Settlement
The following description reflects Colombia’s understanding of the current rules and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg relating to cross-market trades in global securities. These systems could change their rules and procedures at any time, and Colombia takes no responsibility for their actions or the accuracy of this description.
It is important for you to establish at the time of the trade where both the purchaser’s and seller’s accounts are located to ensure that settlement can be made on the desired value date, i.e., the date specified by the purchaser and seller on which the price of the securities is fixed.
When global securities are to be transferred from a DTC seller to a Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg purchaser, the purchaser must first send instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg through a participant at least one business day before the settlement date. Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg will then instruct its New York depositary to receive the securities and make payment for them. On the settlement date, the New York depositary will make payment to the DTC participant through which the seller holds its securities, which will make payment to the seller, and the securities will be credited to the New York depositary’s account. After settlement has been completed, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg will credit the securities to the account of the participant through which the purchaser is acting. This securities credit will appear the next day European time after the settlement date, but will be back-valued to the value date, which will be the preceding day if settlement occurs in New York. If settlement is not completed on the intended value date, the securities credit and cash debit will instead be valued at the actual settlement date.
A participant in Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, acting for the account of a purchaser of global securities, will need to make funds available to Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg in order to pay for the securities on the value date. The most direct way of doing this is for the participant to preposition funds, i.e. have funds in place at Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg before the value date, either from cash on hand or existing lines of credit. The participant may require the purchaser to follow these same procedures.
When global securities are to be transferred from a Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg seller to a DTC purchaser, the seller must first send instructions to and preposition the securities with Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg through a participant at least one business day before the settlement date. Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg will then instruct its New York
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depositary to credit the global securities to the account of the DTC participant through which the purchaser is acting and to receive payment in exchange. The payment will be credited to the account of the Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg participant through which the seller is acting on the following day, but the receipt of the cash proceeds will be back-valued to the value date which will be the preceding day if settlement occurs in New York. If settlement is not completed on the intended value date, the receipt of the cash proceeds and securities debit will instead be valued at the actual settlement date.
Certificated Securities
Colombia will only issue securities in certificated form in exchange for a global security if:
| • | | the depositary notifies Colombia that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary, is ineligible to act as depositary or, in the case of DTC, ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Colombia does not appoint a successor depositary or clearing agency within 90 days; |
| • | | the trustee has instituted or has been directed to institute any judicial proceeding to enforce the rights of the holders under the debt securities and has been advised by its legal counsel that it should obtain possession of the securities for the proceeding; or |
| • | | Colombia elects not to have the securities of a series represented by a global security or securities. |
In any of these cases, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement for an offering, Colombia and the trustee will issue certificated securities:
| • | | registered in the name of each holder; |
| • | | without interest coupons; and |
| • | | in the same authorized denominations as the global securities. |
The certificated securities will initially be registered in the names and denominations requested by the depositary. You may transfer or exchange registered certificated securities by presenting them at the corporate trust office of the trustee. When you surrender a registered certificated security for transfer or exchange, the trustee will authenticate and deliver to you or the transferee a security or securities of the appropriate form and denomination and of the same aggregate principal amount as the security you are surrendering. You will not be charged a fee for the registration of transfers or exchanges of certificated securities. However, you may be charged for any stamp, tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer, exchange or registration. Colombia, the trustee and any other agent of Colombia may treat the person in whose name any certificated security is registered as the legal owner of such security for all purposes.
If any registered certificated security becomes mutilated, destroyed, stolen or lost, you can have it replaced by delivering the security or the evidence of its loss, theft or destruction to the trustee. Colombia and the trustee may require you to sign an indemnity under which you agree to pay Colombia, the trustee and any agent for any losses they may suffer relating to the security that was mutilated, destroyed, stolen or lost. Colombia and the trustee may also require you to present other documents or proof.
After you deliver these documents, if neither Colombia nor the trustee has notice that a bona fide purchaser has acquired the security you are exchanging, Colombia will execute, and the trustee will authenticate and deliver to you, a substitute security with the same terms as the security you are exchanging. You will be required to pay all expenses and reasonable charges associated with the replacement of the mutilated, destroyed, stolen or lost security.
If a security presented for replacement has become payable, Colombia in its discretion may pay the amounts due on the security in lieu of issuing a new security.
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Governing Law
The indenture and the securities will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York unless otherwise specified in any series of debt securities; provided, that all matters related to the consent of holders and any modifications to the indenture or the debt securities will always be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York; provided, further, that the laws of Colombia will govern all matters relating to authorization and execution by Colombia.
Jurisdiction; Enforceability of Judgments
Colombia is a foreign sovereign. It may, therefore, be difficult for investors to obtain or enforce judgments against Colombia.
Colombia will appoint the Consul General of Colombia in The City of New York and his or her successors from time to time as its process agent for any action based on the debt securities or warrants of a series instituted in any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.
Colombia will irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and the courts of Colombia that sit in Bogota D.C. in respect of any action arising out of or based on the securities. Colombia will also irrevocably waive any objection to the venue of any of these courts in an action of that type. Holders of the securities may, however, be precluded from initiating actions arising out of or based on the securities in courts other than those mentioned above.
Colombia will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, irrevocably waive and agree not to plead any immunity from the jurisdiction of any of the above courts in any action based upon the securities. This waiver covers Colombia’s sovereign immunity and immunity from prejudgment attachment, post- judgment attachment and execution, except as provided under (i) Articles 192, 195, 298 and 299 of Law 1437 of 2011 (Código de Procedimiento Administrativo y de lo Contencioso Administrativo), (ii) Articles 684 and 513 of the Colombian Civil Procedure Code (Código de Procedimiento Civil)
(which will be gradually superseded by Articles 593, 594 and 595 et al subject to the entry into force of Law 1564 of 2012 (Código General del Proceso) pursuant to the terms of article 627, paragraph 6 thereof) and (iii) Article 19 of Decree 111 of January 15, 1996, pursuant to which the revenues, assets and property of the Republic located in Colombia are not subject to execution, set-off or attachment.
Nevertheless, Colombia reserves the right to plead sovereign immunity under the U.S. Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, as amended (the “Immunities Act”), in actions brought against it under the United States federal securities laws or any state securities laws. Colombia’s appointment of its process agent will not extend to these actions.
Without Colombia’s waiver of immunity, you will not be able to obtain a United States judgment against Colombia unless the court determines that Colombia is not entitled under the Immunities Act to sovereign immunity in such action. In addition, execution upon property of Colombia located in the United States to enforce a judgment obtained under the Immunities Act may not be possible except in the limited circumstances specified in the Immunities Act.
Even if you are able to obtain a judgment against Colombia in an action under the United States federal securities laws or any state securities laws, you might not be able to enforce it in Colombia. Your ability to enforce foreign judgments in Colombia is dependent, among other factors, on such judgments not violating the principles of Colombian public order. The Head or Acting Head of the Legal Affairs Group of the General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit of Colombia will render an opinion on this matter in connection with each issuance of securities and/or warrants hereunder.
Provision in National Budget
Colombia recognizes that amounts due under the securities must be paid out of appropriations provided in the national budget. Colombia will undertake that it will annually take all necessary and appropriate actions to provide for the due inclusion of such amounts in the national budget and to ensure timely payment of all amounts due.
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Contracts with Colombia
In accordance with Colombian law, by purchasing the securities, you will be deemed to have waived any right to petition for diplomatic claims to be asserted by your government against Colombia with respect to your rights as a holder under the indenture and the securities, except in the case of denial of justice.
TAXATION
The following discussion summarizes certain United States federal and Colombian federal tax considerations that may be relevant to you if you invest in the debt securities. This summary is based on laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect in the United States and on laws and regulations now in effect in Colombia and may change. Any change could apply retroactively and could affect the continued validity of this summary.
This summary does not describe all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to you or your situation, particularly if you are subject to special tax rules. You should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of holding debt securities, including the relevance to your particular situation of the considerations discussed below, as well as of state, local and other tax laws.
Colombian Taxation
Under current Colombian law, payments of principal and interest on the debt securities are not subject to Colombian income or withholding tax, provided that the holder of the debt securities is not a Colombian resident and is not domiciled in Colombia. In addition, gains realized on the sale or other disposition of the debt securities will not be subject to Colombian income or withholding tax, provided that the holder of the debt securities is not a Colombian resident and is not domiciled in Colombia. There are no Colombian transfer, inheritance, gift or succession taxes applicable to the debt securities.
United States Federal Taxation
The following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of your purchase, ownership and disposition of a debt security. The discussion is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the regulations, rulings and judicial decisions interpreting the Code as of the date that this prospectus supplement was issued. These authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified, possibly retroactively, so the discussion below might not be reliable in the future. This discussion does not cover any state, local or foreign tax issues, nor does it cover issues under the U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws.
Colombia has not sought any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in this discussion, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with all of such statements and conclusions.
This discussion deals only with holders that hold a debt security as a capital asset as defined in the U.S. federal tax laws (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of the holder’s circumstances (for example, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code). assumes that you (i) hold the debt security as a capital asset (generally, an asset held for investment), (ii) were the initial purchaser of that debt security, and (iii) acquired the debt security at its issue price. This discussion also assumes that you are not subject to any special U.S. federal income tax rules, including, among others, the special tax rules applicable to:
| • | | dealers in securities or currencies; |
| • | | securities traders using a mark-to-market accounting method; |
| • | | banks or life insurance companies; |
| • | | persons subject to the alternative minimum tax; |
| • | | United States expatriates; |
| • | | persons that purchase or sell debt securities as part of a wash sale for tax purposes; |
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| • | | persons that purchase or sell debt securities as part of a hedging transaction or as a position in a straddle or conversion transaction; |
| • | | U.S. Holders (as defined below) that do not use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency; or |
| • | | tax-exempt organizations. |
If any of these assumptions are not correct in your case, the purchase, ownership or disposition of a debt security may have U.S. federal income tax consequences for you that differ from, or are not covered in, this discussion.
If a partnership (including any entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of a debt security, the tax treatment of a partner in that partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Holders of debt securities that are partnerships and partners in those partnerships should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchase, ownership and disposition of the debt securities.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to debt securities that are sold at a discount to their face amount or with pre-issuance accrued interest will be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences to you of the purchase, ownership or disposition of a debt security.
U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a “U.S. Holder,” meaning that you are the beneficial owner of a debt security and you are:
| • | | an individual citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| • | | a corporation (or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; an |
| | estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| • | | a trust (A) if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over your administration and one or more “United States persons” as defined in the Code (each a “U.S. Person”) have authority to control all your substantial decisions, or (B) that was in existence on August 20, 1996 and has made a valid election under U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a domestic trust. |
If you are not a U.S. holder, this discussion does not apply to you and you should refer to “—Non-U.S. Holders” below.
Payments of Interest. Payments or accruals of stated interest on a debt security generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income. If you generally report your taxable income using the accrual method of accounting, you must include payments of interest in your income as they accrue. If you generally report your taxable income using the cash method of accounting, you must include payments of interest in your income when you actually or constructively receive them.
You must include any tax withheld from the interest payment as ordinary income even though you do not in fact receive it. You may be entitled to deduct or credit this tax, subject to applicable limits. You will also be required to include in income as interest any additional amounts paid with respect to withholding tax on the debt securities, including withholding tax on payments of such additional amounts. For purposes of the foreign tax credit provisions of the Code, interest (including any additional amounts) on a debt security generally will constitute foreign source income and will be categorized as passive or general category income depending on your circumstances.
Disposition of Debt Securities. If you sell or otherwise dispose of a debt security, you generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between your “amount realized” and your “adjusted tax basis” in the debt security. Your “amount realized” will be the value of what you receive for selling or otherwise disposing of the debt security,
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other than amounts that represent interest that is due to you but that has not yet been paid (which will be taxed to you as ordinary interest income). Your “adjusted tax basis” in the debt security will generally equal the amount that you paid for the debt security. Gain or loss from the sale or other disposition of a note generally will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time you sell or dispose of the debt security, you have held the debt security for more than one year, or will be short-term capital gain or loss if you have held the debt security for one year or less. Under the current tax law, net capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers may be taxed at lower rates than items of ordinary income. Your ability to offset capital losses against ordinary income is limited. Any capital gains or losses that arise when you sell or dispose of a debt security generally will be treated as U.S. source income, or loss allocable to U.S. source income, for purposes of the foreign tax credit provisions of the Code.
Medicare Tax. A U.S. Holder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will be subject to a 3.8 percent tax on the lesser of (i) the U.S. Holder’s “net investment income” (or, in the case of an estate or trust, the “undistributed net investment income”) (or, in the case of an estate or trust, the “undistributed net investment income”) for the relevant taxable year and (ii) the excess of the U.S. Holder’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A U.S. Holder’s net investment income generally will include its interest income and its net gains from the disposition of the debt securities, unless such interest income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). If you are an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in the debt securities.
Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets. Owners of “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year, or $75,000 at any time during the taxable year generally may be required to
file information reports with respect to such assets with their U.S. federal income tax returns. Depending on your circumstances, higher threshold amounts may apply. “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts maintained by foreign financial institutions, as well as any of the following, but only if they are held for investment and not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions: (i) stocks and securities issued by non-U.S. persons, (ii) financial instruments and contracts that have non-U.S. issuers or counterparties, and (iii) interests in non-U.S. entities. The debt securities may be treated as specified foreign financial assets and you may be subject to this information reporting regime. Failure to file information reports may subject you to penalties. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding your obligation to file information reports with respect to the debt securities.
Non-U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a “Non-U.S. Holder,” meaning that you are a beneficial owner of a debt security and are not a “U.S. Holder” as defined above.
“Payments of Interest” Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, on interest that you receive on a debt security unless you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States and the interest on the debt security is treated for U.S. federal tax purposes as “effectively connected” to that trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, the interest is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed place of business maintained by you within the United States). If you are engaged in a U.S. trade or business and the interest income is deemed to be effectively connected to that trade or business, you generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that interest in the same manner as if you were a U.S. Holder. In addition, if you are a non-U.S. corporation, your interest income subject to tax in that manner may increase your liability under the branch profits tax currently imposed at a 30 percent rate (or, if attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you within the United States, a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty).
Disposition of Debt Securities.Subject to the backup withholding discussion below, you generally
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will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax for any capital gain that you realize when you sell a debt security unless:
| 1. | that gain is effectively connected for tax purposes to any U.S. trade or business you are engaged in; or |
| 2. | if you are an individual, you are present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year in which you sell the debt security and either (i) you have a “tax home” (as defined in the Code) in the United States in the taxable year in which you sell the debt security, or (ii) the gain is attributable to any office or other fixed place of business that you maintain in the United States. |
If you are a non-U.S. Holder described under (1) above, you generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such gain in the same manner as a U.S. Holder and, if you are a non-U.S. corporation, you may also be subject to the branch profits tax as described above. If you are a non-U.S. Holder described under (2) above, you generally will be subject to a flat 30 percent tax on the gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition of a debt security, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses (notwithstanding the fact that you are not considered a U.S. resident for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest on a debt security generally will be treated in the same manner as payments of interest made to you, as described above under “—Payments of Interest.”
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
If you are a noncorporate U.S. Holder, and unless you prove that you are exempt, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of principal and interest to you if such payments are made within the United States or by or through a custodian or nominee that is a “U.S. Controlled Person,” as defined below. Backup withholding will apply to such payments of principal and interest if you fail to (i) provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; (ii) certify that you are not subject to backup withholding; (iii) report all interest
and dividend income required to be shown on your federal income tax returns; or (iv) demonstrate your eligibility for an exemption.
If you are a Non-U.S. Holder, you generally are exempt from these withholding and reporting requirements (assuming that the gain or income is otherwise exempt from U.S. federal income tax), but you may be required to comply with certification and identification procedures in order to prove your exemption. If you hold a debt security through a foreign partnership, these certification procedures would generally be applied to you as a partner. If you are paid the proceeds of a sale or redemption of a debt security effected at the U.S. office of a broker, you generally will be subject to the information reporting and backup withholding rules. In addition, the information reporting rules will apply to payments of proceeds of a sale or redemption effected at a foreign office of a broker that is a “U.S. Controlled Person,” as defined below, unless the broker has documentary evidence that the holder or beneficial owner is not a U.S. Holder or the holder or beneficial owner otherwise establishes an exemption. A U.S. Controlled Person is:
| • | | a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| • | | a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business for tax purposes for a specified three-year period; or |
| • | | a foreign partnership in which U.S. Persons hold more than 50% of the income or capital interests or which is engaged in a U.S. trade or business. |
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to you generally will be allowed as a refund or a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability as long as you provide the required information to the IRS in a timely manner.
DEBT RECORD
Colombia has regularly met all principal and interest obligations on its external debt for over 80 years.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Colombia may sell the debt securities and warrants in any of the following ways:
| • | | through underwriters or dealers; |
| • | | directly to one or more purchasers; or |
Each prospectus supplement will set forth:
| • | | the name or names of any underwriters |
| • | | the purchase price of the securities; |
| • | | the net proceeds to Colombia from the sale; |
| • | | any underwriting discounts, agent commissions or other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; |
| • | | any initial public offering price and, if applicable, the auction mechanics used to determine such price; |
| • | | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
| • | | any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed. |
If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the underwriters will purchase the securities for their own accounts and may resell them from time to time in one or more transactions, including:
| • | | in negotiated transactions; |
| • | | at a fixed public offering price; or |
| • | | at varying prices to be determined at the time of sale. |
Colombia may offer the securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by underwriters. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if any are purchased. The underwriters may change any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and these dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discount or commission received by them from Colombia and any profit realized on the resale of securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The related prospectus supplements will identify any of these underwriters or agents and will describe any compensation received from Colombia.
Colombia may also sell the securities directly to the public or through agents designated by Colombia from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of securities and will disclose any commissions Colombia may pay to these agents. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, an agent used in the sale of securities will sell the securities on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Colombia may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified entities to purchase the securities from Colombia under delayed delivery contracts. Purchasers of securities under delayed delivery contracts will pay the public offering price and will take delivery of these securities on a date or dates stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of these delayed delivery contracts.
Colombia may offer the securities of any series to holders of other Colombian securities as consideration for the purchase or exchange by Colombia of these other outstanding securities. This offer may be in connection with a publicly announced tender, exchange or other offer for these securities or in privately negotiated transactions. This type of offering may be in addition to or in lieu of sales of securities directly or through underwriters or agents as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Colombia may agree to indemnify agents and underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect of any of these liabilities.
Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with or perform services for Colombia in the ordinary course of business.
OFFICIAL STATEMENTS
Information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus which is identified as being derived from a publication of, or supplied by, Colombia or one of its agencies or instrumentalities is included on the authority of that publication as a public official document of Colombia. All other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the registration statement (of which this prospectus is a part) is included as a public official statement made on the authority of the Minister of Finance and Public Credit of Colombia.
VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES
The validity of the securities of each series will be passed upon for Colombia by the Head or Acting Head of the Legal Affairs Group of the General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury, and by Arnold & Porter LLP, 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, United States counsel to Colombia. The validity of the securities of each series will be passed upon on behalf of any agents or underwriters by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
As to all matters of Colombian law, Arnold & Porter LLP will assume the correctness of the opinion of the Head or Acting Head of the Legal Affairs Group of the General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury. As to all matters of United States law, the Head or Acting Head of the Legal Affairs Group of the General Directorate of Public Credit and National Treasury will assume the correctness of the opinion of Arnold & Porter LLP.
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
The authorized representative of Colombia in the United States of America is the Consul General of the Republic of Colombia in The City of New York, whose address is 10 East 46th Street, New York, New York 10017, or such person as is designated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Colombia has filed a registration statement with the SEC relating to the debt securities and warrants. This prospectus does not contain all of the information described in the registration statement.
For further information, you should refer to the registration statement.
Colombia is not subject to the informational requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Colombia commenced filing annual reports on Form 18-K with the SEC on a voluntary basis beginning with its fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. These reports include certain financial, statistical and other information concerning Colombia. Colombia may also file amendments on Form 18-K/A to its annual reports for the purpose of incorporating information in the Form 18-K or filing with the SEC exhibits which have not been included in the registration statement to which this prospectus and any prospectus supplements relate. When filed, this information and these exhibits will be incorporated by reference into, and these exhibits will become part of, this registration statement.
You can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC. You may also read and copy these documents at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C.:
SEC Public Reference
100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580
Washington, D.C. 20549
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Colombia’s SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at http:// www.sec.gov. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC- 0330 for further information on the public reference room or log on to www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows Colombia to incorporate by reference some information that Colombia files with the SEC. Incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus. Colombia can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The following documents, which Colombia has filed or will file with the SEC, are considered part of and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement:
| • | | Colombia’s annual report on Form 18- K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on September 9, 2015; (SEC File No. 033-73840); |
| • | | All amendments on Form 18-K/A to the 2014 annual report filed on or prior to the date of this prospectus; |
| • | | Any amendment on Form 18-K/A to the 2014 annual report filed after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the securities; and |
| • | | Each subsequent annual report on Form 18- K and any amendment on Form 18-K/A filed after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the securities. |
Later information that Colombia files with the SEC will update and supersede earlier information that it has filed.
Any person receiving a copy of this prospectus may obtain, without charge and upon request, a copy of any of the above documents (including only the exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference in them). Requests for such documents should be directed to:
Dirección General de Crédito Público y
Tesoro Nacional
Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público Carrera 8, No. 6C-38, Piso 1
Bogotá, D.C.
Colombia
Telephone: 57-1-381-2802 / 57-1-381-2156
Facsimile: 57-1-381-2801 / 57-1-381-2102
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REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público
Dirección General de Crédito Público y Tesoro Nacional
Carrera 8, No. 6C-38, Piso 1
Bogotá D.C., Colombia
TRUSTEE, REGISTRAR, PAYING AND TRANSFER AGENT
The Bank of New York Mellon
Global Trust Services—Americas
101 Barclay Street, Floor 7E
New York, New York 10286
PAYING AGENT AND TRANSFER AGENT
The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg) S.A.
Vertigo Building-Polaris
2-4 rue Eugène Ruppert
L-2453 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
LISTING AGENT
KBL European Private Bankers S.A.
43, Boulevard Royal
L-2955 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
LEGAL ADVISORS TO THE REPUBLIC
| | |
As to United States Law | | As to Colombian Law |
| |
Arnold & Porter LLP | | Legal Affairs Group |
399 Park Avenue | | Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público |
New York, New York 10022 | | Dirección General de Crédito Público y Tesoro Nacional |
| | Carrera 8, No. 6C-38, Piso 1 |
| | Bogotá D.C., Colombia |
LEGAL ADVISORS TO THE UNDERWRITERS
| | |
As to United States Law | | As to Colombian Law |
| |
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP | | Brigard & Urrutia |
125 Broad Street | | Calle 70 A No. 4-41 |
New York, New York 10004 | | Bogotá D.C., Colombia |
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