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The Legislative Assembly approved—with 57 votes—the Law for the Dissolution of the Justice Sector Coordinating Commission and the Dissolution and Liquidation of the Unidad Técnica Ejecutiva del Sector de Justicia (UTE). Under this law, both entities will be eliminated, and their functions will be transferred to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The measure aims to avoid the duplication of functions and optimize the use of state resources.
The legislation stipulates that the two institutions, created in 1996, must complete their closure and liquidation process no later than december 31, 2026. During this period, outstanding obligations must be addressed, archives organized, assets liquidated, and resources, contracts, and other responsibilities transferred.
One of the reorganization’s main objectives is to ensure the continuity of the Victim and Witness Protection Program, the functions of which will be administered directly by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The Ministry must incorporate the necessary resources into its budget to fund protection measures, provide care, and coordinate actions with other institutions.
UTE personnel required to maintain this program may be transferred to the Ministry. For employees who are not retained, the law provides for severance pay equivalent to one month’s salary for each year of service—or any fraction exceeding six months—calculated based on their final nominal salary.
The severance payment is capped at 24 months’ salary for those earning between US$408.80 and US$900, while the limit is 12 months’ salary for those earning US$901 or more. Payments must be made during the first three months of 2027, alongside any other applicable labor entitlements.
Regarding the resources allocated to the program, the UTE’s initial budget was US$6.5 million, of which US$4.5 million was earmarked for the witness protection program. However, as previously stated, following budgetary reorganizations within the Ministry, the funds allocated for this purpose were reduced to US$2.4 million.
During the transition, the UTE’s Directorate General will remain responsible for its administration and legal representation to meet outstanding obligations and complete closure procedures. Additionally, a Liquidation Committee—comprising institutional staff and supported by Ministry representatives—will be formed to conduct an inventory, organize files, and manage the liquidation of assets as well as the transfer of resources, contracts, and obligations.
The budget allocated to the UTE for the current fiscal year will be used to cover outstanding obligations and fund its liquidation process. With the passing of the law, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security will directly assume responsibilities related to victim and witness protection while the administrative closure of the entities established in 1996 is finalized.
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