Unrelated legislative developments in Colombia and Chile

In Colombia, the government has introduced an initiative titled ‘Patria Milagro’ aimed at bringing illegal armed actors and terrorists under the rule of law. The proposal offers a differentiated penal treatment for those who voluntarily surrender, including a potential 50% reduction in accumulated sentences for individuals and a 30% reduction for leaders. To qualify, actors must identify all members, surrender weapons, release kidnapped children and missing persons, and cease all illicit activities.

In Chile, the Senate Public Security Commission has unanimously approved a bill to increase penalties for crimes committed against law enforcement officers, including Carabineros, the Investigative Police, and Gendarmerie. The project establishes a differentiated punishment regime based on whether the aggressor acts alone or in a group. Serious insults or offenses against these officers during their duties could result in up to 60 days of imprisonment and fines.