The Democratic Center and the 16 projects to reform justice, health and security that will be presented to Congress

The political party Centro Democrático has announced plans to submit 16 legislative proposals aimed at reforming key sectors such as justice, health, security, housing, environmental protection, and the management of state institutions. The announcement was made from Bogotá on Sunday, July 19, with the intention of presenting these initiatives before Colombia’s Congress. Among the proposed changes include altering the selection process for the president of Ecopetrol, modifying the appointment of the general manager of the New EPS, and enhancing oversight mechanisms for the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). The proposals reflect a broader strategy to reshape institutional governance and improve public services. For instance, the party suggests that the president of Ecopetrol should be nominated by minority shareholders, private entities, and that the board of directors would retain the authority to select from a list of candidates. This change aims to ensure long-term recovery for Ecopetrol through more balanced representation. Similarly, the selection of the general manager of the New EPS will involve a nomination process led by compensation funds, which are stakeholders within the entity. In terms of statistical integrity, the party proposes that the director of DANE should continue being appointed by the President of the Republic, but from a list submitted by the Bank of the Republic. This measure is intended to enhance the independence of this crucial institution while maintaining governmental oversight. Additionally, the proposals seek to strengthen penalties for environmental crimes, ensuring that neither amnesty nor pardon applies to such offenses. Regarding the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), the party advocates for an automatic judicial review mechanism whenever the JEP issues sentencing against members of the armed forces. This review would be conducted by the Military Penal Court, the highest authority in military criminal law. The legislation also addresses the treatment of military personnel convicted of crimes committed up until 2016. It proposes limiting their maximum sentence to five years and allowing alternative restorative sanctions instead of prison time. These measures aim to provide a fairer system while maintaining accountability. In the realm of healthcare, the party intends to reinforce the current model of the General System of Health Security. Their proposal includes strengthening the infrastructure and accessibility of health services. On housing, they plan to transform the Mi Casa Ya program into a national policy, ensuring that subsidies for low-income households remain independent of government decisions. This approach seeks to create stability and continuity in housing support. A focus on youth development is another key component of the legislative agenda. The party proposes annual training programs for at least 100,000 individuals in technology-related fields, including software development, artificial intelligence, and programming. They emphasize both employment opportunities and entrepreneurial support, offering access to a dedicated portion of the Emprender Fund for young entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the initiative includes connectivity and sustainability subsidies for students from lower-income backgrounds, aiming to reduce dropout rates. The legislative package also encompasses initiatives related to credit inclusion and re-banking, transparency in congressional budget processes, limits on property valuation and property tax growth, gradual formalization of small-scale mining, and continued support for students through financial aid. These varied proposals underscore the party's comprehensive vision for structural reforms across multiple domains.