The government is willing to discuss the re-establishment of a Ministry of Justice, separate from the Interior Ministry, declared Colombia’s Justice and Interior Minister Monday.
During a recent Houston Seminar Series gathering, which took place in the city of Cartagena, Justice and Interior Minister Fabio Valencia Cossio announced that the Colombian government would be prepared to discuss the re-establishment of the Ministrys of Justice and the Interior as separate entities.
Cossio noted that the discussion regarding the separation of the Interior and Justice Ministry had provoked differing opinions, as some claim that the change will not alter anything in the current institutional scheme, while others believe it is necessary to have a separate Ministry of Justice.
“It is for the Justice and Interior Minister to address the issue relating to the autonomy of government branches, emphasizing the respect for the autonomy and independence of the judicial power,” said Cossio.
Cossio also emphasized that this does not mean that the crisis of justice in Colombia is related to a lack of autonomy or independence or lack of support for either the Justice or Interior branch.