Budget cuts: Outgoing Minister of Justice spoke about the effects on his portfolio

The resignation of Justice Minister Ángela María Buitrago shook the government and exposed not only the tensions caused by political interference in her department, but also the impact that the sector's underfunding has had on one of the pillars of the state. Although her departure was primarily due to external pressure and maneuvers to impose political appointments, the former official did not overlook the effects of budget cuts on the administration of justice in Colombia.

In his resignation letter, dated April 12 and made public this week, Buitrago expressed that while he was "happy in this position and able to take action in favor of justice," budget cuts had prevented further progress on key programs aimed at providing dignity to incarcerated persons and protecting civil rights.

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"Unfortunately, budget cuts have prevented us from making much progress on this," the minister said, referring to the various initiatives being promoted by this government, within the pillars of its approach to social and community justice, which are increasingly lagging behind, with one year left until the end of this administration.

And the figures speak for themselves, as the justice sector budget approved for 2024 was $5.7 trillion. However, after a $160 billion cut, the final amount was reduced to $4.9 trillion, of which only $3.7 trillion was spent, equivalent to 77.1%—a level that, while not alarming in itself, revealed limitations compared to the proposed goals.

That said, the most worrying aspect is happening in 2025, a year in which, with an approved budget of $5.5 trillion, only $962 billion has been paid as of April, that is, barely 17.7%, while appropriations are around 33% and this raises the possibility of under-execution that could lead to a possible operational paralysis in several programs, just when the prison crisis and access to justice demand an urgent response from the State.

Progress in dribs and drabs

It's worth remembering that programs such as houses of justice (community spaces that articulate institutional offerings to resolve conflicts without judicial action) have struggled to maintain their operations in several territories, according to internal sources within the Ministry. The same is true for projects aimed at social reintegration, the protection of human rights, and care for the prison population.

The minister herself acknowledged that, despite the limitations, the Ministry's technical team had "managed to overcome barriers and move forward," highlighting institutional commitment as a counterbalance to the lack of resources.

Read also: Minister of Justice Angela Maria Buitrago leaves the cabinet: she submitted her resignation

"Where there were cuts, we provided commitment. And where resources were lacking, the Ministry provided humanity," was one of the phrases that conveyed the sentiment with which he left the position, for which the Casa de Nariño government has already begun searching for a new occupant.

Although the budget cuts were not the direct cause of the resignation, they did represent a structural factor that limited the possibility of implementing a transformative justice policy. "There is a difference between administering justice and building justice," Buitrago had said in a recent speech, making it clear that his administration's focus went beyond the operational.

In her statements after formalizing her resignation, Buitrago revealed that she received calls from the Minister of the Interior, Armando Benedetti, and the director of DAPRE, Angie Rodríguez, with proposals for appointments to key positions such as Uspec, the Drug Enforcement Directorate, and vice-ministries, which led her to denounce "interference from third parties who believe they have the authority to decide what is done or not done in the Ministry."

Thus, Ángela María Buitrago's successor will not only inherit a portfolio amid political tensions, but also a budget with poor execution and multiple open fronts. Therefore, the question that remains is whether the justice system in Colombia will be able to continue operating under these conditions, or if, as several stakeholders fear, the budget cuts will end up being a cutback in rights.