2024-08-19 19:33:34
Mandatory military service in Colombia has undergone significant changes to improve the conditions of young people who fulfill this obligation. Law 1861 of 2017, in its article 4, has established new guidelines that allow greater flexibility for young Colombians between 18 and 23 years of age.
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Bill 189, recently approved by the Congress of the Republic, introduces significant changes to the duration of military service. Now, young people who have not obtained a high school diploma must complete a period of 18 months of service, instead of the 24 months previously required. Those who have completed their secondary education will have a service obligation of 12 months.
In addition to these adjustments to the length of service, a new bill has been proposed by representatives Jonathan Pulido Hernández and Marlen Castillo Torres. This bill seeks to establish a discount on the ordinary fare for public transportation services for individuals who perform military service. The initiative aims to guarantee access to public transportation for those who fulfill this obligation, offering a stimulus that motivates young people to contribute to the constitutional purpose of defending sovereignty and constitutional order.
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The project also aims to integrate this benefit as part of the welfare incentives for the military. It seeks to implement differential rates for these individuals, promoting equitable treatment and contributing to the reduction of inequalities. The country’s transportation systems will have to determine the sustainability of this incentive and ensure its correct implementation based on Sisbén data and other specific living conditions.