Overview
- The Chamber of Deputies Constitution Commission approved the substitute text on Thursday by 13 votes in favor, five against and two abstentions, restricting delegated legislative powers to citizen security and El Niño response for 90 days.
- The approved text lists specific security measures including migration and nationality rules, penitentiary regulations, changes to firearms and explosives law, powers to identify and block illicit mobile lines and devices, and updates to cybercrime offenses.
- For El Niño response the text gives the National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI) the authority to directly distribute humanitarian aid during the first 15 calendar days after a declared emergency.
- Lawmakers from several parties criticized the process because the consensus substitute was delivered minutes before the resumed session, prompting requests for recess and complaints that technical review was insufficient.
- Fuerza Popular is divided over the outcome and deputy Jaime Abensur said he will prepare a minority report to press for broader faculties including expanded Armed Forces roles, with the measure next headed to the full Chamber and potentially the Senate.