The Erg @ omnes Journal is the official publication of academic and scientific programs of the University Corporation Law Rafael Nunez. https://doi.org/10.22519/issn.2215-7379
Esta obra está bajo una Licencia Creative Commons Atribución 4.0 Internacional.
Territorial Dynamics of Forced Displacement in the Magdalena Medio and Loba Zodes in Southern Bolívar, 2022–2025
Forced displacement continues to be one of the main expressions of armed violence and territorial disputes in Colombia, particularly in strategic regions such as Southern Bolívar, where illegal economies, armed mobility corridors, and limited institutional capacities converge. This study aimed to analyze the territorial dynamics of forced displacement in the Magdalena Medio and Loba Zodes during the 2022–2025 period, identifying the main causes, recent transformations, and impacts on the civilian population. The research was developed through a mixed-methods approach with a descriptive-analytical scope, based on the review of official data from the Victims Unit, humanitarian reports, Early Warnings issued by the Ombudsman’s Office, and academic literature related to armed conflict and territorial analysis. The findings show that forced displacement in Southern Bolívar is not only a consequence of direct armed confrontations, but also of territorial control mechanisms linked to illegal economies, gold mining, confinement, threats, mobility restrictions, and disputes among illegal armed groups. Likewise, territorial differences were identified between both Zodes: while Magdalena Medio presents higher levels of armed confrontation, Loba is characterized by dynamics of social control and armed regulation over economic and community activities. Finally, the study concludes that forced displacement in these subregions constitutes a structural phenomenon associated with persistent territorial disputes and long-standing limitations in the institutional response.
Forced displacement; territorial dynamics; armed conflict; Southern Bolívar; territorial control
Copyright (c) 2026 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Ethnic self-justice mechanisms in San Basilio de Palenque: between legal pluralism, territorial identity and afro-colombian community justice
Afro-descendant self-justice constitutes a manifestation of legal pluralism that has historically enabled Black, Afro-Colombian, Raizal and Palenquero communities to resolve internal conflicts through mechanisms based on tradition, orality, reparation and community cohesion. Although the Colombian legal system has recognized ethnic and cultural diversity through the 1991 Political Constitution and Law 70 of 1993, challenges remain regarding the effective recognition of Afro-descendant normative systems and their articulation with the ordinary justice system. In this context, San Basilio de Palenque represents a particularly relevant setting due to the persistence of ancestral practices of social organization and conflict resolution.
Afro-descendant self-justice, legal pluralism, San Basilio de Palenque, community justice, territoriality.
Risk factors and vulnerability contexts in forced recruitment in southern bolivar during the period 2022-2025
Forced recruitment constitutes one of the most serious violations of human dignity and fundamental rights in territories affected by the Colombian armed conflict, due to its impact on social, family, and community dynamics. In this context, this research poses the central question: how do vulnerability indices associated with socioeconomic problems, state absence, and territorial risk scenarios influence forced recruitment dynamics in communities in southern Bolívar during the period 2022-2025? To answer this question, the general objective was to analyze the impact of these vulnerability factors on forced recruitment dynamics in the Magdalena Medio and Loba Special Economic Development Zones (ZODES). The specific objectives were to identify the main risk factors, compare the dynamics of the phenomenon between the two subregions, and describe the level of impact of these factors on the increase in forced recruitment. The research was conducted from a socio-legal perspective with a quantitative approach, based on the analysis of official data from the Single Registry of Victims, early warnings from the Ombudsman's Office, OCHA, and other state entities. Using a deductive method and descriptive and inferential statistics, it was shown that poverty, precarious employment, geographic isolation, illicit economies, and weak institutional presence have contributed to the strengthening of illegal armed groups and the increase in forced recruitment in southern Bolívar. Therefore, promoting strategies that foster education, access to decent employment, and greater state intervention are essential to reducing vulnerability factors and addressing this social problem.
Forced recruitment, Social vulnerability, Armed conflict, Risk factors, Southern Bolivar.
Suicide behavior in the economic and social development zones (zodes) of the Department of Bolivar during 2025
This study presents an analysis of suicide trends in the Economic and Social Development Zones (ZODES) of the Bolívar department during 2025, addressing a public health issue of significant importance due to its multifactorial nature and severe social and economic repercussions. The main objective was to analyze the incidence of suicide considering sociodemographic, territorial, and temporal variables in order to identify patterns and define risk profiles in these areas. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and non-experimental approach was adopted, based on official mortality data from the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (INMLCF). Power BI software was used for data organization, processing, and visualization, allowing for the identification of trends, relationships, and patterns of behavior related to the phenomenon. The results revealed an increase in cases, with 34 suicide deaths recorded in 2025, showing a significant prevalence in men (76.47%) and in specific age groups, such as adolescents (15-17 years) and older adults (60-64 years). The territorial distribution showed concentrations in municipalities such as Turbaco, Arjona, and Santa Rosa de Lima, revealing a pattern of spatial polarization and the influence of local socioeconomic and cultural conditions. The findings highlight that suicide in Bolívar is a growing and multifaceted problem requiring differentiated prevention strategies, strengthened epidemiological surveillance, and integrated public policies, in line with the 2025-2034 Public Policy on Mental Health, to reduce its impact on the community and improve the mental health of the population.
Suicide, Bolívar, Public health, Public policies, Mental health, Suicide prevention.
Analysis of confinement in southern Bolivar: Risk factors and social vulnerability (2022-2025)
We analyzed the dynamics of confinement in southern Bolívar between 2022 and 2025, focusing on risk factors and social vulnerability in the Magdalena Medio and Loba ZODES (Zones of Economic and Social Development). Using a descriptive quantitative methodological approach that compares data from OCHA (Office of the Coordinator for the Coordination of Human Rights and Citizen Participation), UARIV (Unit for Comprehensive Reparation and Assistance to Victims), and requests to local authorities, we argue that confinement is not a collateral effect, but rather a strategy of territorial control and coercive governance employed by illegal armed groups to monopolize the civilian population and sustain illicit extractive economies. The study identifies that the Magdalena Medio ZODES is contested by the ELN (National Liberation Army), FARC dissidents, and the ELN for control of the Serranía de San Lucas mountain range and its mining corridors. In the Loba ZODES, the use of antipersonnel mines, explosive drones, and threats against social leaders consolidate confinement as a mechanism for controlling drug trafficking and extortion routes.
Confinement, armed conflict, territorial control, human rights, territorial dynamics, Southern Bolívar Zodes
Sociodemographic, territorial and temporal characterization of mortality from traffic accidents in the Department of Bolivar 2025
Road safety poses a critical challenge to public health and sustainable development in the department of Bolívar, where the convergence of freight corridors, tourist routes, and urban densities exacerbates the vulnerability of road users. Given a 7.6% increase in fatal accidents during 2025 compared to the previous period, there is a scientific need to determine the sociodemographic, territorial, and temporal behavior of this phenomenon in the region. To address this problem, a quantitative, cross-sectional, and census-based methodology was developed, employing documentary analysis of official records provided by the National Road Safety Agency and the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences. The findings identify traffic accidents as the second leading cause of external death at the departmental level, with 314 cases (23.6%). This reveals a marked epidemiological profile characterized by a predominance of male victims (86.0%) and a disproportionate concentration within the economically active population, specifically adults aged 29 to 59 (52.9%) and young adults aged 18 to 28 (26.1%) with secondary or primary education. Furthermore, the temporal distribution showed a marked seasonality, with mortality peaks in April, October, and December. In conclusion, the research demonstrates that road fatalities in Bolívar are a heterogeneous and multifactorial phenomenon. The increase during periods of high vacation mobility and the impact on productive sectors provide key empirical evidence for the urgent design of public policies and targeted prevention strategies.
road accidents, traffic accident, fatal injuries, road safety, Bolívar, vehicle collisions, public health.
An Examination of the Homicide Phenomenon in the Department of Bolívar During 2025
Homicide constitutes one of the main challenges affecting citizen security and social coexistence, generating impacts on social development and territorial stability. In Bolívar, this phenomenon presents differentiated patterns across municipalities and subregions, making its analysis necessary to support decision-making in public security. The objective of this study was to analyze the behavior of homicide during 2025 and its relationship with the guidelines of the Comprehensive Security and Citizen Coexistence Plan (PISCC). The research was conducted under a quantitative and descriptive approach using official information from the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, the National Police, and the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). The findings identified territorial and sociodemographic concentration patterns, as well as differences in the distribution of homicide among municipalities and subregions. It is concluded that homicide remains a significant challenge for citizen security, highlighting the need to strengthen targeting, monitoring, and evaluation processes of institutional strategies aimed at violence prevention.
Homicide; citizen security; social coexistence; violence
Analysis of the Implementation and Strengthening of Local Justice Systems in the Department of Bolívar
This article presents a socio-legal analysis of the implementation and strengthening of Local Justice Systems (SLJ) in the department of Bolívar. A methodology structured in planning, fieldwork, systematization, and analysis phases was employed, guided by a territorial and participatory approach. The results show significant progress in administrative formalization through the adoption of municipal decrees in various localities and the recent creation of the Departmental Justice Committee. However, structural challenges persist related to the operability of the committees, inter-institutional coordination, and technical sustainability, which restricts the real impact on the peaceful resolution of conflicts. It is concluded that it is imperative to transition from documentary formalization to the consolidation of effective public policies for access to justice.
Local Justice Systems, access to justice, legal pluralism, community justice, department of Bolívar
Analysis of domestic violence in the department of Bolivar 2024
This article analyzes the sociodemographic, and territorial characteristics of domestic violence in the department of Bolívar during 2024, based on records from the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Science and other complementary institutional sources. The study incorporates a territorial analysis based on Economic and Social Development Zones (ZODES), with the purpose of identifying spatial patterns, concentration dynamics, and possible inequalities in institutional access to case registration and care. The results show a greater impact on women, especially in their youth and adulthood, as well as a strong association between domestic violence, domestic spaces, and caregiving and unpaid work. Furthermore, a marked concentration of cases was identified in municipal capitals and in areas where Forensic Medicine offices are located, particularly in Cartagena, Magangué, and El Carmen de Bolívar. This suggests that the spatial distribution of cases depends not only on the occurrence of violence but also on factors associated with existing institutional capacity, access to support services, and mechanisms for reporting and forensic assessment. These findings contribute to a territorial understanding of domestic violence and strengthen prevention and differentiated care strategies in the department.
Domestic violence. Territorial approach, Médico-legal record. ZODES
The Human Rights Situation Regarding Freedom of Religion and Belief in Southern Bolívar, 2024–2025
Religious freedom, constitutionally enshrined as a pillar of axiological pluralism, is experiencing a severe de facto crisis in Colombia's internal border regions, where the public expression of faith (forum externum) is violated within the context of ongoing armed conflicts. In the southern subregion of Bolívar, church leaders face systematic harassment and statistical invisibility, a situation exacerbated by Decree 1285 of 2023, which excluded this sector from special protection under the National Protection Unit (UNP). This study aimed to analyze the human rights violations suffered by religious leaders in southern Bolívar during the period 2024-2025, identifying risk taxonomies, explanatory territorial factors, and the level of state response. Methodologically, a mixed-methods (quantitative-qualitative) socio-legal approach was adopted, with a descriptive and cross-sectional scope. Using non-probability convenience sampling and key informants, an analytical sample of twelve (n=12) active church leaders was selected in Magangué, Montecristo, Tiquisio, Achí, and San Jacinto del Cauca. Primary data were collected through an ad hoc structured questionnaire under strict ethical confidentiality criteria. The information was processed using univariate descriptive statistics and hermeneutic triangulation. The quantitative findings revealed that the main forms of aggression consisted of coercive collections (extortion), extreme restrictions on mobility, and de facto impediments to holding public worship services and funeral rites. Organized Armed Groups (GAO) emerged as the primary threat (8 out of 12 participants), with daily pressure being reported in dispersed rural areas, inducing a "paralyzing effect" or self-censorship of church discourse. From a critical perspective, the discussion centers on how violence stems from dynamics of criminal governance and violations of International Humanitarian Law, where illegal structures perceive the trust and social legitimacy of churches as a competitive moral power that obstructs their territorial control. Furthermore, a profound institutional distrust and underreporting are evident, stemming from a well-founded fear of reprisals and criminal infiltration of local authorities, generating a marked epistemic injustice. The conclusion is that the lack of state regulatory protection and the geographical remoteness of entities such as the Ombudsman's Office exacerbate vulnerability due to legislative omission; consequently, the articulation of the departmental Public Policy (Ordinance 371 of 2024) urgently requires the redesign of prevention and protection strategies with a decentralized, micro-territorial approach that effectively safeguards the free exercise of religious freedom against organized violent coercion.
Armed conflict; Human rights; Criminal governance; Religious freedom; Religious leaders; South of Bolivar
Development of the Justo Bolívar Cognitive Chatbot: Construction of a Technological Tool to Overcome Barriers to Access to Justice in the Department of Bolívar
In the department of Bolívar, Colombia, social, territorial, and digital barriers severely limit access to justice, particularly in rural communities and among vulnerable populations. The lack of legal guidance, compounded by the digital divide, prevents citizens from effectively managing their legal needs, especially in cases of domestic and gender-based violence (GBV). To define the conceptual, technical, ethical, and regulatory foundations that the cognitive chatbot Justo Bolívar must meet for its coordinated implementation across all municipalities of the department of Bolívar, and to design a phased action plan guiding its development, validation, and territorial deployment, in alignment with the National Digital Transformation Policy, the guidelines of the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC) regarding personal data processing in artificial intelligence systems, and existing literature on access to justice and digital justice. A qualitative documentary study was conducted, comprising a systematic review of scientific literature on legal chatbots and access to justice, analysis of recent institutional reports and regulatory frameworks on data protection in AI systems, with particular attention to Circular 002 of 2024 issued by the SIC and the comparative experience of the Universidad del Rosario legal chatbot project. Results: The research demonstrated that a legal chatbot can provide immediate and accessible legal guidance while incorporating privacy by design principles and comprehensive risk assessment to protect user data. The analysis of regulatory frameworks confirmed that AI-based legal tools must comply with data protection obligations, including privacy impact assessments for high-risk systems. A cognitive chatbot could significantly contribute to reducing barriers to access to justice in Bolívar if articulated with connectivity policies, digital literacy programs, and strict regulatory compliance. Technological innovation must be accompanied by an ethical approach, robust data protection culture, and a humanistic framework to achieve inclusive and sustainable digital justice.
access to justice; artificial intelligence; cognitive chatbot; LegalTech; data protection; domestic and gender-based violence; Bolívar; digital justice; privacy by design.
Sociopolitical Violence and Stigmatization in Bolívar in the 2025-2026 Electoral Cycle: Discursive Dynamics and Political Polarization
Sociopolitical violence and stigmatization represent persistent risks to democracy in Colombia, particularly during pre-electoral periods when polarization, territorial disputes, and tensions between political and armed actors tend to intensify. In the department of Bolívar, these dynamics take on a particular expression due to the combination of armed conflict, institutional weakness, and disputes over local political control, shaping a vulnerability scenario that the 2025-2026 electoral cycle has made especially critical. This study generates an integrated analysis of the factors affecting electoral risk in Bolívar, articulating territorial, discursive, and socio-legal dimensions through a qualitative case study design with a socio-legal orientation. A total of 82 structured surveys and five semi-structured interviews were conducted across the department's seven subregions, and a digital discursive corpus of at least 60 interventions by five high-circulation political and opinion leaders was constructed and analyzed through Critical Discourse Analysis. Results show that 91% of respondents identified symbolic violence as the most probable form of electoral threat, and 87% perceived polarizing discourses as frequent or very frequent in media and social networks. The discursive corpus recorded an increase in polarizing categories from 85% to 92% between July and December 2025, reflecting a sustained escalation throughout the pre-electoral period. The analysis identified three distinct discursive functions -confrontation and mobilization, production of ethical and institutional legitimacy, and political reconfiguration- which, despite operating through ideologically different repertoires, converge in representing political disputes as an existential confrontation between incompatible national projects. The study concludes that electoral risk in Bolívar is multicausal and multidimensional, and that the articulation between the territorial dimension of risk and the discursive dimension of polarization constitutes a pending analytical and institutional gap, both for academic research and for the design of electoral violence prevention policies in Colombia.
sociopolitical violence, stigmatization, electoral risk, critical discourse analysis, political polarization, Bolívar, Colombia.
Presentación. Bolívar: Territorio en Datos, la apuesta desde el CENTRO DE OBSERVACIÓN E INVESTIGACIÓN SOCIAL DE BOLÍVAR – COISBOL- Celebramos con esta edición especial de Erg@omnes, los resultados de un nuevo ciclo de investigaciones desde el CENTRO DE OBSERVACIÓN E INVESTIGACIÓN SOCIAL DE BOLÍVAR – COISBOL-, en alianza con los Grupos de Investigación de UNINÚÑEZ, Derecho Público (COL0022413) adscrito al Programa de Derecho; Trabajo Social, Derechos Humanos y Desarrollo Sustentable (COL0155699) adscrito al Programa de Trabajo Social; Huellas Pedagógicas (COL0076183) adscrito al Programa de Licenciatura en Educación Inicial y a la Especialización en Educación y Diversidad, y Sistemas Neurodifusos (Código COL0024614), adscrito a los Programas de la Facultad de Ingenierías de Sistemas. Ello, en un contexto donde el territorio bolivarense enfrenta múltiples problemas estructurales que afectan directamente la seguridad, la convivencia ciudadana y el acceso a la justicia. Persisten condiciones de pobreza multidimensional, especialmente en las zonas rurales y subregiones históricamente excluidas, lo que se traduce en deficiencias en educación, salud, empleo, vivienda y acceso a servicios básicos. Estas condiciones crean un entorno propicio para el incremento de fenómenos como la violencia intrafamiliar, la violencia de género, el reclutamiento de menores, los delitos contra la vida y el patrimonio, la presencia de economías ilegales, la trata de personas y las violencias basadas en género, entre otros. Al mismo tiempo, Bolívar enfrenta limitaciones institucionales para abordar de manera integral estos fenómenos. Las entidades responsables de producir información relacionada con la seguridad, la convivencia, los derechos humanos y el acceso a la justicia, como la Policía Nacional, la Fiscalía General de la Nación, Medicina Legal, el Ejército, la Armada Nacional, centros académicos y organizaciones sociales generan datos relevantes, pero esta información se encuentra dispersa, sin articulación ni estandarización metodológica. La ausencia de un sistema integrado de análisis de información dificulta el monitoreo de fenómenos sociales complejos, limita la formulación de políticas públicas basadas en evidencia y restringe la capacidad del gobierno departamental para anticiparse a situaciones de crisis o conflictividad social. En respuesta a este contexto, la Gobernación de Bolívar, a través de la Secretaría del Interior y Asuntos Gubernamentales, ha impulsado el proceso de consolidación del Centro de Observación e Investigación Social de Bolívar (COISBOL), como un espacio interinstitucional e intersectorial dedicado a la recepción, procesamiento, análisis y difusión de información estratégica sobre fenómenos sociales que afectan la convivencia, la seguridad y el acceso a derechos en el territorio. Esta nueva edición especial divulga resultados de investigación desarrollados en el primer semestre del 2026, en el marco de las líneas de investigación declaradas por COISBOL, sobre acceso a la justicia; seguridad, convivencia y orden público; y en derechos humanos. Nuevamente se destaca la cooperación y articulación entre profesionales y asesores del Centro, y Docentes Investigadores de los Grupos de Investigación de UNINÚÑEZ. Se divulga así información, datos y análisis para una adecuada apropiación social del conocimiento, su divulgación, no solo ante actores académicos e institucionales, sino para una ciudadanía ciudadanía activa, empoderada y participativa, que se apoya en unas instituciones fuertes, lideradas por funcionarios que cuentan con los mecanismos y herramientas para el desarrollo del capital intelectual y organizacional, interesados en implementar buenas prácticas, en el marco del buen gobierno. Se consolida así COISBOL, como actor relevante dentro del territorio bolivarense, dentro de la Línea Estratégica BOLÍVAR ME ENAMORA CON SEGURIDAD Y CONVIVENCIA CIUDADANA del Plan de Desarrollo Departamental 2024-2027, y en tal virtud, se insiste, llamado a hacer parte fundamental del Sistema Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SNCTI): ese es el próximo paso a seguir. Carlos Alberto Almanza Agámez Decano Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas Corporación Universitaria Rafael Núñez Investigador Junior – MinCiencias.
Active learning or traditional teaching at the upper secondary level: An exploratory review of teacher and student perceptions
The transition to active learning in upper secondary education represents a profound structural and epistemological challenge. This article develops a scoping review, following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, aimed at analyzing the tensions, barriers, and perceptions of teachers and students regarding the dichotomy between traditional teaching and active methodologies. Through a systematic search in the Scopus database, 280 records were screened, establishing a final corpus of 20 high-impact qualitative and mixed-methods empirical studies. The analysis reveals three critical findings: 1) the persistence of a severe curricular tension, where the rigidity of syllabi and the pressure to meet standardized metrics inhibit methodological innovation; 2) marked teacher resistance at higher educational levels, anchored in directive pedagogical beliefs and exacerbated by administrative overload; and 3) a methodological shock among students, who face an initial deficit in self-regulation skills, but who, upon adaptation, significantly value the acquired autonomy and dynamism. It is concluded that the success of this transition goes beyond instructional change; it demands institutional restructuring that provides continuous scaffolding for teachers and socio-emotional support for students.
Active learning; Traditional teaching; Upper secondary education; Educational barriers; Scoping review.
The Forgiveness of the Mothers of Soacha, Victims of False Positives: An Analysis from the Philosophy of Hannah Arendt
The phenomenon of "false positives" in Colombia represents one of the most serious expressions of human rights violations in the context of the armed conflict. This article analyzes the case of the Mothers of Soacha and their struggle for justice, examining this problem in the light of Hannah Arendt's theory of political forgiveness and evaluating the fulfillment of the ethical and political conditions that the author proposes so that forgiveness is legitimate. The methodology is qualitative and analytical, based on a documentary review of public hearings of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), official reports, testimonies of those responsible, and the text of the Eichmann trial. An analysis matrix was developed to contrast the conditions of forgiveness - full recognition of state responsibility and sincere repentance of the perpetrators - with the reality of the case. Finally, the results show that, although some perpetrators have expressed regret, full state recognition and comprehensive reparation are still insufficient, which limits the possibility of political forgiveness. Thus, it is concluded that for the Mothers of Soacha, forgiveness is only viable under the condition of justice, truth and memory.
false positives; Mothers of Soacha; political forgiveness; Hannah Arendt; transitional justice; banality of evil
Legal Research Through the Thought of Norberto Bobbio
Legal research has allowed us to expand knowledge regarding the world of law, recognizing and characterizing its functioning and, in turn, the regulations that govern the legal systems. Norberto Bobbio, through the general theory of law, has made contributions to the investigation of the legal norm and has highlighted the criteria that must accompany it to be considered fair, valid and effective. Therefore, it is important to interpret Norberto Bobbio's theory of the legal norm, specifically to describe the effectiveness of the legal norm according to Norberto Bobbio's theory; categorize the perception of the person regarding the effectiveness of law 2191 of 2020 on labor disconnection to recognize whether Norberto Bobbio's approaches are met and finally, analyze the effectiveness of the legal norm against law 1010 of 2006 on harassment labor to establish the correlation between the legal norm as a source of law and legal research. Using the hermeneutic paradigm, based on the mixed method, documentary type, using techniques such as surveys, the collection of documents, text review, laws and jurisprudence that allow supporting the concepts raised about the legal norm.
workplace harassment, work disconnection, legal standard, formal sources, socio-legal research
Constitutional Review and the Constitutional Block in Colombia
This article examines the design and functioning of constitutional review and the “block of constitutionality” in Colombia, emphasizing their role in safeguarding constitutional supremacy and protecting fundamental rights. It begins by reconstructing the historical and theoretical foundations of constitutional review, drawing on diffuse and centralized models as well as the origins of the mixed system established by the 1991 Constitution. The article then analyzes the main modalities of constitutional review in the Colombian legal order (centralized, diffuse, ex ante, ex post, abstract and concrete) and how they operate in constitutional case law. In a second step, it explores the emergence and evolution of the concept of the block of constitutionality, first articulated by the Constitutional Court in decisions such as Judgment C 225 of 1995 and further developed in subsequent rulings on human rights, international humanitarian law, participatory democracy and transitional justice. Finally, it presents landmark examples of the application of constitutional review and the block of constitutionality, highlighting their strengths and tensions, and discusses current challenges related to the scope of the block, the balance between judicial review and democracy, and the incorporation of new fields such as environmental law.
Constitutional review; Block of constitutionality; Constitutional supremacy; Mixed model of review; Public action of unconstitutionality; Exception of unconstitutionality
Cactus Project: Strengthening interdisciplinary and research skills as a strategy for the co-construction of a sustainable environmental environment
The cactus project, inspired by a sustainable garden, arose from the need to promote research initiatives to stimulate interest in environmental stewardship at the La Magdalena Educational Institution. It stemmed from real-world situations, such as adapting a space to beautify and increase green areas within the institution using cacti. This small and eye-catching species addressed the limited space available for green areas, and it also facilitated educational and interdisciplinary activities. The project had an impact on the educational community, encouraging participation in talks and awareness workshops that highlighted the importance of sustainable gardens and how cacti help conserve water. Collaborative workshops were planned on topics such as decorating flowerpots and assisting with the placement of irrigation systems. The research objective was to design a proposal based on technological tools that would strengthen interdisciplinary and research skills for the co-construction of a sustainable environment. For the development of the research, the Educational Action Research methodology was implemented in several stages: diagnosis, action strategies to offer alternative solutions, and evaluation of the results to reformulate new action strategies. Furthermore, the corresponding systematization of information was carried out, systematic feedback sessions were held with the community, and dissemination materials were generated to ensure the continuity of the project and to offer the opportunity for replication in other contexts. In this case, families can be encouraged to also become interested in creating their own sustainable environmental environment in their homes, as well as in other schools.
Research on public administration in México
This study examines the configuration and evolution of public administration research in Mexico through a mixed-methods documentary analysis of Scopus data spanning 1998–2024. Drawing on a corpus of 98 documents (94 original articles and 4 reviews) published in English and Spanish by authors affiliated with Mexican institutions—identified via the Scopus query TITLE-ABS-KEY("public management") AND AFFILCOUNTRY("Mexico") AND (DOCTYPE ar OR re)—we computed descriptive bibliometric indicators using Scopus’s "Analyze search results" module, generated author keyword co-word maps with VOSviewer, and conducted thematic documentary analysis to identify subcategories and emergent topics. Findings reveal sustained growth in output, peaking in 2019 with null production in 2001 and 2007, alongside heavy thematic concentration in social sciences (48.8%) and business and management (21.5%). The field's cognitive structure coalesces around three core subcategories—state action, public services, and societal interests—yielding key topics including public administration, management and public policy, professionalization, public sector, health, citizen participation, public works, economy, science and technology, and politics. Author productivity exhibits marked concentration, with two scholars each contributing five publications. These results illuminate pathways for field consolidation while highlighting gaps—such as interdisciplinary voids and longitudinal voids—and opportunities for future inquiry into underrepresented domains like digital governance and intersectoral collaboration
Contexts of Vulnerability and Criminal Responsibility: Associations Between Sociodemographic and Community Factors Among Youth in Bolívar
This article proposes a sociolegal analysis of the Adolescent Criminal Responsibility System (SRPA) in Bolívar, Colombia, with an emphasis on juvenile criminological vulnerability and its relationship to sociodemographic, social, and community factors. It defends a restorative and social approach within a framework of rights and justice for children and adolescents, drawing on Zaffaroni's theory and key jurisprudence such as ruling C-740/08. The research combines a documentary review and quantitative analysis of official data from 2024 and 2025, obtained from the ICBF (National Criminal Investigation Commission) and the Judicial Branch, to describe SRPA admissions, crime patterns, gender distribution, and geographic location. The RAD method integrates regulations, doctrine, and empirical data and is organized into two phases: a heuristic approach to collecting legal, doctrinal, and statistical information, and a hermeneutic approach to qualitative critical analysis supported by descriptive and comparative temporal approaches. The findings show a marked gender inequality with male predominance (e.g., 136 men versus 9 women among 145 cases in August 2025) and a geographic concentration of crime in vulnerable neighborhoods of Cartagena (Olaya Herrera, La María, Nelson Mandela, Boquilla), indicators of persistent community vulnerability and an increase in cases from 2024 to 2025 that suggests structural failures in prevention. Relevant social factors include incomplete education (mainly between 6th and 9th grade), complex family dynamics, psychoactive substance use and geographic origin from the Caribbean, with the majority of adolescents between 15 and 20 years old and a high level of PAS use (approximately 83% in a sample of 30), with early onset between 11 and 12 years old. Thus, it is concluded that the SRPA in Bolívar reflects structural vulnerability linked to sociodemographic and community factors, reproduces gender biases, and concentrates interventions in areas with greater social disorganization, fueling criticism that the system functions as a mechanism for criminalizing poverty. Based on this, a shift toward preventive and restorative interventions is proposed, with public policies focused on social development, education, and opportunities for adolescents, and a reformulation of SRPA practices toward more preventive, social, and less penalizing responses. This synthesis supports the design of public policies and institutional practices oriented toward restorative justice and effective social inclusion, in accordance with the framework of the Children and Adolescents Code, with an emphasis on territorialized social prevention and investment in human capital in the most vulnerable areas
Contexts of vulnerability, Criminal responsibility of adolescents, juvenile justice, Education and consumption of psychoactive substances.
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Forced Recruitment in Southern Bolívar: State-Level Tensions and Challenges for the Protection of Children in Colombia Between 2024 and the First Semester of 2025
This article presents a socio-legal analysis of the forced recruitment of children and adolescents (NNA) in the southern region of Bolívar, Colombia, during the 2024–2025.1 period. Through a mixed methodological approach combining documentary and legal review, descriptive analysis, and qualitative examination of institutional sources, it explores the tension between the legal framework for child protection and the realities of rural territories affected by armed conflict. Findings show that, despite normative progress and commitments stemming from the Peace Agreement, the forced recruitment of minors remains a persistent practice in municipalities. These areas face structural conditions of poverty, social exclusion, geographical isolation, and weak state presence, which facilitate the operation of illegal armed groups. The study also identifies the existence of a local “rebelocracy,” where armed actors regulate community life and use recruitment as a mechanism of control. The results highlight the urgent need to strengthen public policies, institutional action, and comprehensive child protection in post-conflict contexts.
Forced recruitment, children, armed conflict, south of Bolívar, human rights, rebelocracy.
Traffic Accident Mortality in the Department of Bolívar: Analysis for 2024 and the First Semester of 2025
In Colombia, deaths from external causes (such as homicides, suicides, traffic accidents, and other accidental deaths) represent one of the main categories used by the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (INMLCF) to analyze mortality affecting social security and coexistence. Among these, traffic accidents stand out as one of the most frequent and lethal expressions of this type of mortality. These events pose a major public health challenge due to their direct impact on life expectancy and social protection. Traffic accidents occupy a prominent place in Colombia, concentrating a high number of victims, particularly in municipalities with medium and low income levels. In this context, road accidents are recognized as a critical issue, with more than 60% of fatalities involving motorcyclists, according to the National Road Safety Observatory (ONSV, 2024). Following this line, Breilh (2013) argues that these preventable deaths reflect deep social and structural inequities in territorial organization and life protection, emphasizing road infrastructure improvement as a key factor for their reduction. The National Road Safety Plan 2022–2031 has promoted education and control programs; however, results still reveal institutional gaps, limited civic culture, and weaknesses in public policy effectiveness. Therefore, local scientific evidence is needed to guide targeted interventions. In the department of Bolívar (where motorcycles are a primary means of transport), the situation is particularly concerning due to intense mobility, the rapid growth of the vehicle fleet, and structural deficiencies in the road network. Municipalities such as Cartagena and Magangué show a critical scenario marked by population growth, transport informality, and the lack of safe infrastructure, creating high-risk conditions for the population. This article aims to provide a clear and updated diagnosis to support decision-making by local authorities, transport agencies, and public health institutions, contributing academic and social knowledge to strengthen road safety and promote safer mobility in the region. The research uses consolidated data from the INMLCF between January 2024 and June 2025, including sociodemographic, temporal, and geographic variables to build a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon in Bolívar. These data are complemented by interactive panels from the National Road Safety Observatory to identify trends and specific characteristics of road accidents, particularly involving motorcyclists and road infrastructure conditions.
Traffic accidents, Mortality, Public health, Road safety
Comparative Analysis of Suicide Frequency in the ZODES of the Department of Bolívar During 2024 and the First Semester of 2025
Suicide constitutes a public health problem of global scope and growing impact in Colombia. In the department of Bolívar, the territorial organization into Zonas de Desarrollo Económico y Social (ZODES, or Socioeconomic and Development Zones) provides an appropriate framework for analyzing internal differences in the occurrence of this phenomenon. The present study aims to compare the frequency of suicides between the ZODES with the highest and lowest burden during 2024 and the first semester of 2025. This article was developed under a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and comparative design. The units of analysis were the ZODES of Bolívar, and the information sources included suicide cases identified through databases published by official entities responsible for mortality registration, such as the National Institute of Forensic Medicine. Additionally, data from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) were used, including records of deaths by external causes and municipal population projections. The variables analyzed included territory (ZODES and municipality), sex, age, and educational level of the deceased individuals, as well as the methods used and the temporal distribution of the cases. Based on these indicators, the study identified the ZODES with the highest and lowest frequency of suicides, the monthly and weekly behaviors of the phenomenon, and the predominant sociodemographic characteristics of the affected population.The results show a marked concentration of cases in the Northern ZODES, particularly in Cartagena de Indias, along with a higher prevalence among adult men and the predominance of hanging as the main method. These findings reveal territorial and social inequalities that shape distinct risk scenarios and provide essential elements for designing prevention strategies tailored to local contexts, thereby strengthening the understanding of suicide as a complex and socially determined phenomenon.It is expected that this study will provide updated evidence on the territorial distribution of suicide in Bolívar, contributing to a better understanding of the phenomenon and generating inputs for future research and differentiated prevention strategies.
Suicide, Public health, Social determinants of health, Territorial inequalities, ZODES.
Territorial Dynamics of Human Trafficking in the Department of Bolívar
This research presents a comprehensive analysis of the territorial dynamics of human trafficking in the department of Bolívar, articulating Johan Galtung's theories of direct, structural, and cultural violence, and Henri Lefebvre's theories of the social production of space. The study demonstrates that trafficking is not an isolated crime, but rather the embodiment of structural violence such as endemic poverty, lack of opportunities, and institutional weakness that shape high-risk and vulnerable territories. Through a qualitative documentary analysis method, which triangulates sources such as early warnings from the Ombudsman's Office, monitoring reports from municipalities such as Montecristo, Arenal, Morales, Río Viejo, San Martín de Loba, and Santa Rosa del Sur, and academic production, the research identifies clearly defined victimization profiles. The findings confirm an alarming feminization and juvenilization of the crime, disproportionately concentrating on women, girls, and adolescents, whose age range for sexual exploitation is between 16 and 22 years. A strategic focus is highlighted on the Venezuelan migrant population, whose economic precariousness and lack of support networks are exploited by captors. The trafficking modalities projected for the 2024-2025 period, driven by Organized Armed Groups such as the AGC and the ELN, mainly include sexual exploitation in commercial establishments under debt bondage regimes, the forced recruitment of minors to strengthen their structures within the framework of the armed conflict, and labor exploitation in illicit economies such as illegal mining. While institutional responses are observed, such as the activation of Municipal Committees to Combat Trafficking, the study concludes that these efforts are predominantly reactive and insufficient to transform the structural conditions that give rise to the problem. Therefore, eradicating this scourge requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach, focused on social and economic development policies that address the root causes of vulnerability, thus strengthening the construction of sustainable peace in the region.
Human trafficking, socio-territorial vulnerability, forms of exploitation, migration crisis, structural violence, direct violence, cultural violence.
Territory in Dispute and Forced Displacement in Southern Bolívar – Magdalena Medio (2020–2024): An Analysis of Emerging Conflict Dynamics in the Post-Agreement Context
The study analyzes the evolution of forced displacement in the southern part of the Bolívar Department, in the Magdalena Medio region, between 2020 and 2024. It identifies the influence of the territory on the increase of victimizing events related to forced displacement, the persistence of armed conflict, and disputes over social and economic control. Using a quantitative approach, official records from the UARIV and population data from DANE were processed. A comparative matrix by municipality was developed, allowing for the analysis of annual evolution and cumulative intensity of displacement. The results show a high concentration of displacement in Arenal, Morales, and Santa Rosa del Sur, forming a humanitarian pressure axis linked to illicit economies, gold mining, and territorial control disputes involving Post-FARC groups, the ELN, and the AGC. Cantagallo, San Pablo, and Simití display sustained upward trends, suggesting preventive displacements in response to the escalation of violence. Territorial analysis confirms that forced displacement operates as a persistent strategy for spatial reconfiguration and political-economic control. The findings highlight the need to strengthen institutional capacities and early prevention strategies to address a phenomenon that continues to reshape post-agreement dynamics in southern Bolívar.
Human rights, forced displacement, armed conflict, territory, post-agreement
Challenges of the administration of justice in Bolivar: Analysis of the availability of judicial services in the Department of Bolivar 2023-2024
The administration of justice in Bolívar faces the challenge of judicial congestion, a phenomenon that limits procedural efficiency and weakens citizen trust in institutions. In response, the modernization and digitalization processes implemented in 2024-2025 have sought to offer solutions, although doubts persist about their limitations and opportunities. In this context, the central question arises: what limitations and opportunities do these processes present for addressing judicial congestion, ¿and how do they impact the effectiveness of the implemented decongestion measures? To answer this question, the general objective was to evaluate these limitations and opportunities, with specific objectives aimed at characterizing resolution times before and after digitalization, analyzing the statistical relationship between the digitalization of procedures and the reduction in backlogged cases, and comparing the coverage of employee welfare programs with levels of congestion and their impact on institutional legitimacy. The research is framed within a socio-legal perspective that conceives law in interaction with social and cultural factors, with a quantitative approach based on the analysis of official data from the Judicial Branch. Using a deductive method, in its descriptive-prescriptive dimension, descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to measure the real impact of digitalization and workplace well-being, allowing for the proposal of recommendations that strengthen the decongestion and institutional legitimacy of justice in Bolívar.
Administration of Justice, Judicial Congestion, Decongestion, Access to Justice, Bolívar.
Celebramos con esta edición especial de la Revista Erg@omnes, el inicio de la consolidación del CENTRO DE OBSERVACIÓN E INVESTIGACIÓN SOCIAL DE BOLÍVAR – COISBOL-, como un actor relevante dentro del territorio bolivarense, liderando un espacio interinstitucional e intersectorial dedicado a la recepción, procesamiento, análisis y difusión de información estratégica sobre fenómenos sociales que afectan la convivencia, la seguridad y el acceso a derechos en el territorio, y en tal virtud, llamado a hacer parte fundamental del Sistema Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SNCTI), que tiene al Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación como ente rector. En la búsqueda de esa meta surge, enhorabuena, esta alianza entre COISBOL y UNINÚÑEZ, esta última actuando a través de las capacidades técnicas, metodológicas, profesionales y disciplinares de los Grupos de Investigación Derecho Público (COL0022413) adscrito al Programa de Derecho; Trabajo Social, Derechos Humanos y Desarrollo Sustentable (COL0155699) adscrito al Programa de Trabajo Social; Huellas Pedagógicas (COL0076183) adscrito al Programa de Licenciatura en Educación Inicial y a la Especialización en Educación y Diversidad, y Sistemas Neurodifusos (Código COL0024614), adscrito a los Programas de la Facultad de Ingenierías de Sistemas. El norte viene dado por el Plan de Desarrollo Departamental “BOLÍVAR ME ENAMORA 2024–2027” del Gobernador YAMIL ARANA PADAUI, dentro de los Objetivos Estratégicos y apuestas orientadas a la Línea Estratégica BOLÍVAR ME ENAMORA CON SEGURIDAD Y CONVIVENCIA CIUDADANA, que es hoy por hoy, una prioridad en el departamento de Bolívar, y que se consolida con el componente de Seguridad, Convivencia y Cultura Ciudadana, Programa Centro de Observación e Investigación Social de Bolívar COISBOL, que tiene como indicador de producto “Aumentar el flujo de información, conocimiento y el análisis sobre el estado de la convivencia y la seguridad ciudadana a través de la generación de información.”. Con el contexto anterior, en esta edición especial, se presentan los primeros resultados de las líneas de investigación que han sido declaradas por COISBOL en acceso a la justicia; seguridad, convivencia y orden público; y en derechos humanos, resultado de un trabajo de cooperación entre profesionales y asesores del Centro, y Docentes Investigadores de los Grupos de Investigación de UNINÚÑEZ. Se divulga así información, datos y análisis para una adecuada apropiación social del conocimiento, su divulgación, no solo ante actores académicos e institucionales, sino para una ciudadanía ciudadanía activa, empoderada y participativa, que se apoya en unas instituciones fuertes, lideradas por funcionarios que cuentan con los mecanismos y herramientas para el desarrollo del capital intelectual y organizacional, interesados en implementar buenas prácticas, en el marco del buen gobierno. Esta edición especial deja sentada las bases para profundizar en tiempo, pertinencia y calidad, el trabajo conjunto con el Departamento, con el liderazgo de la Secretaría del Interior y Asuntos Gubernamentales, gerenciada por el Dr. Javier Doria Arrieta en el presente periodo de gobierno, logrando trabajar por los proyectos y líneas estratégicas comunes, que consoliden a COISBOL como el primer Centro de Observación a nivel departamental y regional, con una visión internacional. Ello, por supuesto, con su adherencia al Consejo Departamental de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación CODECTI, para lo cual se deberán hacer las gestiones reglamentarias que a bien correspondan. Una meta común, en beneficio de los bolivarenses. Carlos Alberto Almanza Agámez Decano Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas Investigador Junior – MinCiencias.
CENTRO DE OBSERVACIÓN E INVESTIGACIÓN SOCIAL DE BOLÍVAR – COISBOL
Access to Community Justice Through Communal Conciliation in the Department of Bolívar: In Pursuit of Peace and Social Cohesion
This article analyzes the role of the coexistence and conciliation committees of Community Action Boards (JACs) in access to community justice in the department of Bolívar, Colombia. It identifies the factors that facilitate or limit access to community justice and proposes strategies to strengthen the JACs, and in particular the Coexistence and Conciliation Committees that practice community conciliation, to improve access to community justice and promote peace and social cohesion in the department of Bolívar. To this end, socio-legal research with a qualitative approach was employed, using strategies such as participatory workshops and narrative research, including first-person accounts to gain firsthand understanding of the subject of study. The results show that community conciliation is a mechanism that strengthens community justice and guarantees effective, pluralistic, and democratic access to justice in the territories of the department of Bolívar. Strategies are proposed for the institutional strengthening of the JAC and the CCC, in order to optimize community justice mechanisms and consolidate sustainable peace processes in the department of Bolívar.
coexistence and conciliation commissions
Trapped in Their Own Territory: Dynamics of Confinement and Armed Control in Southern Bolívar, Magdalena Medio (2018–2025)
Confinement in Southern Bolívar represents one of the most persistent and least visible expressions of the Colombian armed conflict. This article analyzes its evolution between 2018 and 2025 using official and humanitarian sources —the Unit for Victims (UARIV), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and municipal authorities— to identify territorial trends, armed actors, and institutional limitations in reporting. The findings reveal a marked concentration of confinement in municipalities such as Santa Rosa del Sur, Morales, and Arenal, where illicit economies, armed presence, and weak local governance converge. Comparing the data exposes significant discrepancies: while UARIV records indicate relative stability, OCHA and local reports portray a more dynamic humanitarian reality characterized by underreporting and delayed response. From a political and social perspective, confinement emerges as a territorial control mechanism that restricts mobility, fractures community networks, and perpetuates structural vulnerability among the civilian population.
Current status of the legal consultancy in cases of gender-Based violence
This paper analyzes how the Rafael Núñez University Corporation (UNINUÑEZ) strengthens the specific competency of socio-legal research by including legal counsel in the research training process. From a more specific perspective, it is important to highlight that in Colombia, gender-based violence is a persistent social problem with a devastating impact that perpetuates discrimination and inequality. In this context, university legal counsel are essential for future lawyers to gain practical experience, while also providing a vital solution for those without access to private legal representation.