On 2026-09-01, Colombian representatives Jaime Arizabaleta of the Centro Democrático party and Julio César Triana of the Cambio Radical party filed a bill in the Chamber of Representatives to criminalize the deliberate use of hoods, masks, balaclavas, or other means to hide identity as a way to facilitate committing crimes during public protests. ^[1] Lawmakers from the Green Alliance and other political parties filed a reform bill to change the selection process for magistrates of Colombia's National Electoral Council (CNE) one day before President Abelardo De La Espriella was to install nine new magistrates. ^[2] The reform proposal seeks to replace the current system of political party quotas in the Congress with a public merit competition organized by the National Civil Service Commission (CNSC). ^[3] President Abelardo de la Espriella appealed a tutela ruling issued by the Juzgado Quinto Laboral del Circuito de Bogotá that ordered him to offer public apologies for religious invocations made during his inauguration ceremony in Cali on August 7. ^[4] The bill includes aggravating circumstances for the use of homemade dangerous artifacts, explosives, corrosive substances, or other means that cause serious harm to people or to public and private property, and for conduct targeting educational establishments, health service providers, rescue organizations, cultural heritage sites, and essential public service infrastructure. ^[5] The bill proposes penalties of 54 to 96 months in prison, fines of 50 to 200 monthly minimum wages, and disqualification from public functions for the same term for those who illegally incite, direct, or provide means to obstruct roads or transport infrastructure, endangering human life, public health, food security, the environment, or the right to work. ^[6] The bill proposes prison sentences of 54 to 96 months and fines of 50 to 200 monthly minimum wages for those who deliberately use face-concealing items to commit vandalism or crimes during public protests. ^[7] The reform establishes stricter eligibility requirements, including Colombian nationality, citizenship, legal expertise, over 35 years of age, 10 years of professional experience, and at least five years in electoral law. ^[8] Under the new proposal, the final appointments of the nine magistrates would be made by three high courts: the Supreme Court (3), the Constitutional Court (3), and the Council of State (3). ^[9] Carlos Suárez, an strategist for Abelardo de la Espriella, stated that the President's decision to appeal was expected and that the President believes public servants do not lose their freedom of religion and expression. ^[10] Laura Daniela Beltrán, a representative to the Chamber for the Pacto Histórico, announced the filing of a new tutela action against President De la Espriella due to repeated mentions of faith in his speeches. ^[11] The President offered his apologies in his final presidential address on August 30, stating, 'If this act could have generated discomfort or offended someone, I offer my apologies for that.' ^[12]