The Senate plenary approved today with 35 votes in favor, 18 against, and six abstentions, to grant legislative powers to the Executive branch for a period of 90 days, specifically concerning public security and the El Niño phenomenon.
The vote followed a debate lasting more than two and a half hours, during which senators from the six political groups in the Upper House presented their positions on the matter.
The initial presentation was delivered by Carlos Mesía, head of the Senate’s Constitution, Regulations, and Foreign Affairs Committee, who called for unity in support of the measure.
Following this, the individual lawmakers began their statements.
The approved text encompasses 27 points related to public security and the El Niño phenomenon, all of which had previously received the endorsement of the Senate’s Constitution Committee. The Chamber of Deputies had initially approved 20 of these points.
Regarding the El Niño phenomenon, for instance, the National Civil Defense Institute is authorized to directly and exceptionally arrange for and carry out the delivery of humanitarian aid during the first 15 days following the onset of an emergency or disaster.
In terms of security, the Executive is empowered to legislate on migration, amend the regulatory framework governing the use of firearms, reform the National Penitentiary System, and modernize the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE).
Furthermore, the Armed Forces are authorized to provide, on an exceptional and temporary basis, external security for high-risk penitentiary facilities—without replacing the penitentiary authority or assuming its functions.
Following the vote, the President of the Senate, Miguel Ángel Torres, adjourned the plenary session until 3:30 PM.
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Publicado: 21/10/2026