Colombian Senate passes government surrender bill, Chamber debate continues

The Senate approved the government's surrender law in its final debate on November 3, 2026, with 57 votes in favor and 24 against. The legislation, known as the public order law, seeks to facilitate the surrender of members of armed and terrorist groups.

The bill is the counterpart to the total peace project promoted by former President Gustavo Petro's administration. It offers sentence reductions of up to 30 percent for organization leaders and up to 50 percent for other criminal group members who surrender.

“It is the counterpart to the total peace law project of the Petro government.”

Senators removed Article 25, which had granted the Interior Ministry extraordinary contracting powers within the National Security and Citizen Coexistence Fund.

The Chamber of Representatives had previously approved the positive report with 90 votes in favor and 44 against, while the negative report presented by the Historic Pact failed with 102 votes against 47.

Opposition lawmakers argued there was a procedural flaw because Representative Daniel Briceño did not present the report before the vote was opened. The government is racing against a deadline to pass the law before the legislative session ends.

Interior Minister Alejandro Ordóñez has not appeared at the Capitol, while former Interior and Justice Minister Fabio Valencia Cossio and Justice Minister Iván Cancino participated in the Chamber's discussions.