A significant 11.8 million Colombians are engaged in the informal economy, yet local governments consistently exclude this sector from development plans and budgetary allocations. This practice overlooks the considerable role this “rebusque”—a term for informal economic activity—plays in the economic development of Colombian municipalities. Despite its prevalence and contribution, the informal sector remains marginalized in official planning. *La Silla Vacía* reports this disconnect highlights a critical gap in acknowledging and supporting a substantial portion of the Colombian workforce. The continued exclusion hinders opportunities to integrate informal workers and businesses into the formal economy, potentially limiting overall economic growth. This situation demonstrates a need for a revised approach to local development that recognizes the importance of the informal economy in Colombia.