This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

031525Z Feb 06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 001054 
 
SIPDIS 
 
BOGOTA FOR JUDATT JMCMILLEN, TBLACK 
JUSTICE FOR CRM/DAAG - MLWARREN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PREL CO JSRP LGAT
SUBJECT: NEW COLOMBIAN CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE 
 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary.  On January 1 the new Colombian Criminal 
Procedure Code was introduced in 7 judicial districts: 
Bucaramanga, Buga, Cali, Medellin, San Gil, Santa Rosa and 
Tunja.  These districts are added to the four which 
introduced the new Code in 2005: Armenia, Bogota, Manizales 
and Pereira.  This is part of the gradual implementation of 
the Code, a dramatic and historical reform of the Colombian 
criminal justice system throughout the country, which will be 
completed in 2008.  The Code introduces an accusatory system, 
i.e., it moves Colombia away from its traditional written, 
inquisitory system which was inefficient because cases took 
years to resolve.  The Code's implementation has already made 
a difference, with criminal cases now taking weeks or months 
to resolve, as opposed to 3-5 years.  Over 60% of cases with 
an arrest are now resolved with plea agreements or 
convictions.  While too early to be definitive, the 
successful implementation of the new system in 2005 appears 
to be repeating itself in the 7 new districts in 2006.  This 
is particularly important given that the implementation 
includes the districts of Cali and Medellin, critical to U.S. 
law enforcement efforts.  USG assistance has been 
instrumental to the implementation of the new Code.  End 
Summary. 
 
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Introduction of Criminal Procedure Code in 7 New Judicial 
Districts 
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¶2.  (U) The new Colombian Criminal Procedure Code which was 
successfully initiated during 2005 in the districts of 
Armenia, Bogota, Manizales and Pereira, was introduced into 
the 7 judicial districts of Bucaramanga, Buga, Cali, 
Medellin, San Gil, Santa Rosa and Tunja on January 1.  The 
districts of Cali and Medellin are of particular importance 
as both districts have a very significant impact on many of 
the major complex narcotics cases which concern U.S. law 
enforcement.  The initial reports during the first week of 
implementation indicate a repeat of the success of 2005, 
building on the experience from the implementation in Bogota 
and the Coffee Region (Armenia, Manizales and Pereira).  Many 
of the procedural problems in the initial year of 
implementation in Bogota and the Coffee Region have been 
avoided and the experience from 2005 is being used to better 
prepare the new districts.  Judicial proceedings, oral and 
open to the public, are being handled quickly and 
effectively; many of the criminal cases are being resolved 
with guilty pleas; police, prosecutors, judges and public 
defenders, generally speaking, appear to understand their 
roles in the new accusatory system.  The press reports from 
the various districts during the first week have been very 
positive. 
 
¶3.  (U) Problems continue in the administrative area, such as 
logistics, computer information systems, case and court 
administration, and transportation of detainees.  These 
problems are to be expected given the dramatic transition, 
but will need to be addressed for the initial success to be 
solidified.  Personnel issues, particularly ensuring adequate 
numbers of police investigators, prosecutors, judges and 
public defenders, still need to be addressed. 
 
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Implications of the New Code 
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¶4. (U) The inefficiency of the old system was a primary 
reason for the introduction of a new accusatory criminal 
procedure code.  The expectation of a transparent, swift and 
effective justice system has been a driving force behind this 
dramatic and historical reform of the Colombian criminal 
justice system ) a system which has been plagued by 
corruption, mountains of paper, long delays in resolving 
criminal cases, threats and intimidation of judicial officers 
by powerful criminal organizations.  If implemented properly, 
the new Code holds great promise for more effective criminal 
investigations, including the ability to conduct confidential 
investigations and offer plea bargains  which can &flip8 
some co-defendants to testify and provide evidence against 
other members of criminal organizations.  The swift and 
effective resolution of common crimes which have 
traditionally clogged the criminal justice system through a 
transparent process should improve the Colombian public's 
confidence in the justice system. 
 
¶5. (U) Addressing common but serious crimes such as 
homicides, theft, assault and sex offenses, has been a 
primary focus of the initial success in the implementation of 
the new Code.  The continued effectiveness in addressing 
these crimes is critical for the development of the Colombian 
criminal justice system and public confidence.  However, a 
test of the new Code will be its effectiveness in addressing 
complex crimes involving criminal organizations which have 
long entangled not only the Colombian criminal justice system 
but Colombian society.  Much of this will rely on the 
effectiveness and abilities of the judicial officers tasked 
with implementing the new Code. 
 
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USG Assistance 
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¶6. (U) The Embassy has been training and providing technical 
assistance for the implementation of this important criminal 
justice system reform.  Through the Department of Justice and 
USAID, the Embassy has provided intensive training to over 
18,000 prosecutors, judges, police, forensic experts and 
public defenders.  Embassy programs have been critical in 
preparing these 11 judicial districts for the implementation 
of the new Code and the accusatory system.  Embassy programs 
have provided equipment and technical support for prosecutor 
offices, police entities, forensic laboratories, the 
judiciary and court rooms, and public defenders offices and 
Casas de Justicia.  Embassy teams together with Colombian 
personnel are closely monitoring the implementation of the 
new Code in the 7 new judicial districts, providing technical 
assistance and mentoring where needed. 
 
¶7. (U) A striking example of the impact of USG assistance on 
the introduction of an effective criminal justice system in 
Colombia is what occurred during the week of January 2 in the 
Department of Boyaca.  Many of the towns in this Department 
only a few years ago were under the control of Colombian 
guerrilla organizations.  As a result of the USG-sponsored 
police insertion program, these towns came under GOC control 
and during the first week of January introduced the new 
accusatory system and their first oral, public judicial 
proceedings. 
 
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Comment 
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¶8.  (U) The successful and effective implementation of the 
new Colombian Criminal Procedure Code is critically important 
in reforming the Colombian criminal justice system. The first 
year of its implementation and the initial reports of 2006 
indicate significant potential for success.  The 
implementation of the new Code has been more successful than 
many anticipated.  Given the numerous obstacles and problems 
Colombia faces, the implementation is remarkable. While 
serious issues remain and the implementation must be viewed 
as an ongoing process, the early successes are very 
encouraging.  The USG must continue to play a catalyzing role 
to ensure progress is sustained. 
WOOD