Colombia Interior Minister proposes legislative transparency reform

Colombian Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara Restrepo has filed a legislative reform project aimed at increasing transparency and probity within the Congress of the Republic. The proposal seeks to amend articles 180, 182, 183, and 346 of the Political Constitution to establish public registries for congressmen's declared interests, campaign contributors, and regional public investment projects.

The initiative intends to eliminate “mermelada,” described by Lara as the “hidden transaction between Government and Legislative.” Under the new rules, lawmakers would be permitted to propose investment projects for their departments and municipalities without facing legal reprisals, provided these actions are recorded in a public registry. To prevent conflicts of interest, congressmen must abstain from intervening in the adjudication, celebration, or execution of contracts resulting from these projects.

Furthermore, the reform mandates a public registry of campaign donors. It specifies that legal campaign financing alone does not constitute a conflict of interest, unless a specific and determined benefit is granted to the lawmaker, their spouse, or partner through the proposed projects or contracts.