Social and political conflicts and independence of justice

Abstract

The article discusses the social and political significance of the independence of the judiciary. In the case of Colombia, it analyzes the design to subordinate the judiciary to the executive power since the late 70’s of the twentieth century. It recounts the resistance of judges opposed to this project, and how elites implemented a parallel justice system, while weakening the judiciary. In the final balance, what formal justice reforms failed to achieve was accomplished partially by the corruption of the administration of justice, which has seriously hurt its independence. The struggles to fully restore the autonomy of the judiciary are a top priority in today’s agenda.