Colombia government to present new Anti-Terrorist Statute

The Colombian government, led by Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara, is preparing to present a draft of a new Anti-Terrorist Statute to the Criminal Policy Council. The proposed legislation, which contains over 130 articles, aims to strengthen legal tools to combat illegal armed organizations through enhanced intelligence, financial tracking, and specialized judicial mechanisms.

Key components of the project include the creation of a National Registry of Terrorist Organizations and Actors, the establishment of a High Commissioner against Terrorism, and a special penitentiary regime for criminal leaders. The statute seeks to implement a system of lists to classify organizations as terrorists, similar to models used in the United States and the United Nations.

The proposal has sparked significant political debate. Senator Iván Cepeda has criticized the draft, warning that its broad definition of terrorism—referring to conduct that produces “fear, panic, and anxiety”—could threaten the rule of law and civil liberties. Conversely, Senator Hernán Cadavid has defended the initiative, stating that the era of complacency toward criminal structures must end.