The promoters said the initiative seeks to strengthen the State’s capacity to fight organized crime through reforms to the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code (COIP), the Organic Law on Extinction of Ownership, and the Organic Code of the Judicial Function.

The debate is taking place against a backdrop of high-level violence in the country; however, the opposition has spoken out against the legal proposal.

Assemblyman Blasco Luna, of the Revolucion Ciudadana (Citizen’s Revolution-RC) Movement, supported the increased penalties but called for stricter sanctions for lawyers and broader participation from professional associations, human rights organizations, and civil society.

Luna also warned that increased penalties are insufficient to address insecurity and demanded public policies to tackle poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to basic services.

Following the first debate, scheduled for this Thursday, the bill must continue its legislative process before a possible final approval.

abo/iff/ga/avr