Overview
- The proposal, introduced by Congresswoman Elizabeth Medina, would amend Penal Code articles 315 and 452 to treat face covering during protests as an aggravating factor punishable by eight to ten years in prison plus fines.
- Defensor del Pueblo Josué Gutiérrez opposed criminalizing appearance, arguing that covering the face is not a standalone crime and warning of risks to the right to peaceful protest and the principle of legality.
- Gutiérrez said criminal responses must target concrete violent acts through investigations led by the Public Ministry with Police support, highlighting cameras and aerial patrols as tools for identifying offenders.
- The ombudsman announced monitoring deployments in main mobilization zones to verify respect for human rights during demonstrations.
- Congressman Jorge Montoya backed the bill, urged graduated sanctions and immediate detention for fully covered protesters, keeping the measure under contentious debate in Congress without passage.