Colombia to sign decree regulating social protests and blockades

The Colombian government, led by President Abelardo de la Espriella, is set to sign a new decree to regulate social protests and limit road blockades. Announced by Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara Restrepo, the measure modifies the 2021 protocols to distinguish between peaceful demonstrations and violent acts.

Under the new regulations, law enforcement will have the authority to intervene immediately against individuals committing specific violent acts—such as carrying weapons, using explosives, attacking citizens or police, or destroying infrastructure—without waiting for dialogue stages to conclude. The decree specifically aims to prevent indefinite blockades and protect essential services, including the passage of ambulances and public transport systems.

The initiative, developed by the Ministries of the Interior and Defense, utilizes the Undemo unit (which replaced Esmad) to manage order. The government emphasizes that while dialogue remains a priority, authorities will act individually against violent participants to avoid penalizing entire peaceful gatherings.