Iván Cepeda to sue President over U.S. troop presence in Colombia

Colombian Senator Iván Cepeda has announced he will file a legal action, known as a tutela, against President Abelardo de la Espriella. Cepeda alleges a violation of his fundamental right to political participation due to the presence and maneuvers of United States military forces and aircraft within Colombian territory without prior legislative consultation.

The legal challenge stems from military cooperation maneuvers in the Colombian Pacific, specifically involving UH-1Y Venom helicopters from the United States Marine Corps that flew over Tumaco, Nariño, on August 27. Cepeda noted that the U.S. Southern Command officially confirmed these activities on September 12.

According to the senator, Article 173, numeral 4 of the Colombian Constitution mandates that the Senate must authorize the transit or presence of foreign troops in the country. Cepeda argues that the failure to notify or consult the Senate regarding these aerial and terrestrial operations undermines the legislature's constitutional powers of political control.