Congress maintains election of controller: rejected petition to postpone session due to earthquake
The Colombian Congress has decided to proceed with the election of the new Comptroller General of the Republic on August 12, 2026, despite a request by Senator Duvalier Sánchez to postpone the session to support communities affected by a recent earthquake in several regions including Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas, Chocó, Quindío, and Antioquia. The Senate secretary, Diego Alejandro González, stated that all legal norms preventing postponement were followed, emphasizing that the scheduled session is part of a legally mandated electoral process. While the Senate acknowledged the humanitarian concerns raised, they concluded that the reasons provided did not justify delaying the election. The Pacto Histórico coalition proposed the postponement, but the Senate maintained its decision, asserting that the session would proceed according to constitutional and legal rules.
The Colombian Congress has refused to delay its session scheduled for August 12, 2026, despite calls from several politicians to postpone the meeting to support communities affected by recent earthquakes in the Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas, Chocó, Quindío, and Antioquia regions. The decision comes after a formal request from Senator Duvalier Sánchez, who sought to reschedule the session to allow lawmakers to assist disaster-stricken areas. However, the Senate's secretary, Diego Alejandro González, confirmed that legal norms prevent the postponement of the session, which is set to proceed as planned. According to official statements, the session scheduled for August 12 is part of a legally mandated process for electing Colombia’s new Comptroller General. The resolution numbered 005 issued on March 6, 2026, explicitly included the election of the Comptroller General for August 12, 2026, as the final phase of the established procedure. This timeline was described as a binding legal framework governing the selection of one of the country’s highest institutional offices. The Senate has taken this stance to avoid past controversies surrounding changes to the election schedule. Previously, modifications to the timetable had sparked complex debates, prompting the full chamber of the Constitutional Court to highlight concerns over such adjustments. Officials emphasized that the schedule represents a legally binding expression of rules governing public actions aimed at providing one of the nation’s most prestigious state positions. While there are exceptions for delaying the election of the Comptroller General, the reasons presented by Senator Sánchez were deemed insufficient to halt the session. According to the Senate’s response, the justification centered around institutional convenience, representation, and humanitarian considerations, reasons that did not establish a material impossibility for the full participation of legislators. In light of these developments, the Senate’s secretary informed Senator Sánchez that the president of the Senate had decided to maintain the full session of Congress scheduled for August 12, 2026, proceeding according to constitutional, legal, and regulatory rules governing the election of the Comptroller General of the Republic. Despite the refusal to delay the session, political discussions continue regarding the impact of the earthquake on affected regions. Some members of the Historical Pact coalition have proposed deferring the election of the Comptroller General due to the emergency caused by the earthquake, highlighting the need for legislative attention to the crisis. Meanwhile, Jorge Laverde has been identified as the likely candidate for the position of Comptroller General. Major political parties have expressed their support for him, citing his professional and personal qualifications. His appointment would follow the formal election process outlined in the legal framework, ensuring compliance with all procedural requirements. The decision to hold the session as planned underscores the commitment of the legislative body to adhere strictly to legal procedures, even amid ongoing humanitarian challenges. While some argue that the situation requires immediate legislative action, others emphasize the necessity of upholding established timelines and processes. The Comptroller General’s office plays a crucial role in overseeing government finances and ensuring transparency in public administration. With the election set to take place as scheduled, officials are preparing for the proceedings, confident that the process will unfold in accordance with legal mandates.
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