The so-called Petro passport model has just suffered a new setback. The Administrative Court of Cundinamarca has just granted a precautionary measure, giving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 days to answer a series of substantive questions before making a decision on its legality.
Meanwhile, it was ordered to provisionally suspend some points of the agreement. However, sources close to the process explained to EL TIEMPO’s Investigative Unit that the decision does not stop, for now, the issuance of the document.
The scope of the measure
In the first point of the decision -which the government of Abelardo De La Espriella will have to comply with- the precautionary measure is decreed consisting of the provisional suspension of the execution of the specific inter-administrative agreement with Portugal and those derived from it.
The decision, which stems from a lawsuit (popular action) filed by lawyer Nicolás Dupont, is signed by magistrate Moisés Mazabel, from the first section of the Administrative Court of Cundinamarca.
In addition, instructions are given to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Revolving Fund of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Printing Office of Colombia, and the National Printing House Casa da Moeda of Portugal to submit, within twenty (20) business days following the notification of this ruling, a joint, complete, and detailed report that allows verifying several points.
One of these is the activities carried out within the specific inter-administrative agreement; the phases implemented and the contractual commitments materialized to date; the updated execution schedule of the agreement; and the documentary evidence that allows verifying the real state of implementation of the adopted model.
The ultimatum
The Administrative Court of Cundinamarca also orders the Revolving Fund of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Printing Office of Colombia, and the National Printing House Casa da Moeda of Portugal to submit, within the same term, a comprehensive report on the production chain of the passport booklets, specifying several points.
This point includes the location and identification of all production centers used for the manufacture of the booklets and the identification of all entities, contractors, subcontractors, or third parties involved in any of the stages of production, transport, storage, custody, personalization, distribution, and delivery of the booklets.
Additionally, the activities carried out directly by the National Printing House Casa da Moeda of Portugal and those developed by third parties; the supervision and control procedures implemented for all participants; the traceability mechanisms applicable to the entire production chain; and the security, custody, and control protocols applicable to sensitive materials, security elements, and documentation associated with the production process.
And the fourth point warns that the suspension will remain in effect until the questions are answered.
However, during this period, the booklets will continue to be issued.
INVESTIGATIVE UNIT
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