An effective and fair justice system is the cornerstone of any democracy. In Colombia, increased demand for access to justice is further straining the system, with inefficiencies and threats to judicial independence. At a time when democracies around the world are under siege, guaranteeing equal and effective access to justice for all has never been more important. The stakes are high. As a top US security and economic partner in South America, the smooth functioning of Colombia’s justice system has ramifications that extend beyond its borders.

In partnership with Colombia’s Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, join us for the release of findings of a two-year research project that identifies the level of access and delivery of justice in Colombia from a private sector perspective. The discussion will cover how inefficiencies in the justice system affect opportunities for investment and economic growth and explore why it is important for the US to invest in improving the Colombian judicial system.

At a critical moment for the future of US-Colombia relations, the report release on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. (EDT) / 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. (Bogotá) will share new data and give an exclusive look into Colombia’s justice system. This hybrid event will be held in person at the Atlantic Council headquarters with virtual participation available.

This event is part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening the US-Colombia relationship through highlighting opportunities for bilateral coordination on issues related to democracy, security, and economic development. The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America is home to the US-Colombia Advisory Group, a nonpartisan, multi-sectoral group led by honorary co-chairs Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) that works to advance a whole-of-society approach to addressing the most vital policy issues facing the US-Colombia relationship. To learn more about our recent work on advancing democracy and security in Colombia, see our report on US-Colombia coordination on drug policy and law enforcement.