The Petro Government is analyzing measures in response to the critical public order situation that exists in Catatumbo (Norte de Santander). Among the options being considered there are two that stand out: declare a state of internal commotion or economic emergency.
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The territorial validity of these two figures has not yet been determined, but in principle, at least in the case of internal commotion, it would be regional and limited to that area of the department. This has been pointed out by high government sources to various media outlets.
The options that are under analysis occur in the midst of the violence crisis that is occurring in this region of the country and that has left more than 30 dead and more than 20 injured in two days.
Given this panorama, President Gustavo Petro, together with several members of the Executive, as well as the military leadership and authorities of the region, convened a security council in the municipality of Tibú.
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What do these measures consist of?
The internal commotion is a state of emergency that is defined in article 213 of the Political Constitution of 1991. This states that the President of the Republic, with the signature of all the ministers, can declare it “in case of serious disturbance of public order that imminently threatens institutional stability, State security, or citizen coexistence, and that cannot be averted through the use of the ordinary powers of the police authorities.”
This period can be declared for a validity of no more than 90 days, extendable for up to two other equal periods with approval of the Senate. The Constitution also establishes that the National Government “will have the powers strictly necessary to avert the causes of the disturbance and prevent the extension of its effects.”
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ELN.
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In the case of the economic and social emergency, this figure is established in article 215 of the Magna Carta and is applied when events occur “that disturb or threaten to seriously and imminently disturb the economic, social and ecological order of the country, or that constitute a serious public calamity”.
If it is implemented, the head of state will have the powers to “issue decrees with the force of law, intended exclusively to avert the crisis and prevent the extension of its effects.” These regulations must refer to matters that have a direct and specific relationship with the state of emergency, and may, temporarily, establish new taxes or modify existing ones.
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PORTFOLIO
