Colombian Senator Iván Cepeda Secures Court Victory on Civil Disobedience Speech

The Bogotá 64th Criminal Circuit Court denied a tutela filed by two citizens that sought to force Senator Iván Cepeda to retract his remarks advocating civil disobedience and to bar him from future statements on the issue. The judge ruled that Cepeda’s comments constitute a public political expression protected by the Constitution, finding no objective evidence that they pose a real or current threat to public order. The decision emphasizes that imposing preventive censorship would violate Article 20 of Colombia’s constitution.

Cepeda hailed the ruling, stating that “civil disobedience is a right and a structural component of the constitutional state.” He reiterated his opposition to President‑elect Abelardo de la Espriella, announcing he will not attend the president’s inauguration and will continue peaceful civil‑disobedience actions.

The case underscores the protection of political speech in Colombia and signals ongoing tension between the opposition and the incoming administration.