JEP seeks to block 170,000 million peso budget cut in Colombia

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) has requested that the Colombian Congress prevent a proposed budget reduction of 170,000 million pesos for 2027. The JEP warns that such a cut threatens the rights of over 634,000 victims and the judicial guarantees of former combatants and members of the Public Force. The proposed reduction, which was approved in a first debate by joint economic commissions, would lower the entity's budget from an initial 821,803 million pesos to 651,803 million pesos.

In response, Minister of Justice Iván Cancino defended the reduction, stating it is not an attack on the tribunal but a necessary adjustment due to national fiscal restrictions. Cancino argued that other state institutions are also facing spending reviews and suggested that the JEP has not fully executed its assigned budgets in previous years. He urged the judiciary and the international community to approach the discussion with “prudence and moderation.”