health
May 1, 2026
Euthanasia in Colombia Changes: Government Complies with Court Orders and Expands Access
Follow us on GOOGLE NEWS. Stay always updated with the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on Google News.
TL;DR
- Colombia's Ministry of Health issued Resolution 000813, implementing Constitutional Court orders on euthanasia.
- The resolution integrates euthanasia, palliative care, and therapeutic effort adjustments.
- Access to euthanasia is expanded to include intense suffering from serious, incurable conditions, not solely terminal illness.
- The regulation emphasizes patient autonomy, clear information, and the right to refuse treatment.
- Palliative care and therapeutic effort adjustments are now comprehensively included.
- Ethics committees will play a more active and consultative role, aligning with international standards.
- The issuance of this resolution occurs amid a trend of high courts limiting President Gustavo Petro's government initiatives.
- The Ministry acknowledges that the regulation is a response to sustained judicial mandates, not an autonomous executive decision.