Colombia's State Council annulled the legal personality of the Dignidad Liberal political movement, stating it lacked its own identity after merging with Nuevo Liberalismo in 1979. The ruling concludes that Rodrigo Lara Bonilla did not die defending its ideals but due to his fight against drug trafficking. This decision impacts Rodrigo Lara Restrepo's electoral plans in Huila.
Colombia's State Council, in a ruling from its contentious-administrative chamber, fifth section, declared null the administrative act granting legal personality to Dignidad Liberal. The movement, founded in 1973 by former Justice Minister Rodrigo Lara Bonilla, was 'revived' on July 17, 2024, by his son Rodrigo Lara Restrepo. However, the court found no evidence of exceptional circumstances impeding its proselytizing activities or force majeure reasons limiting political participation.
Dignidad Liberal emerged as a political tendency within the Liberal Party and enjoyed initial autonomy, but in 1979 it merged with Nuevo Liberalismo to support Luis Carlos Galán's presidential bid. "Dignidad Liberal se «vinculó» a las filas del Nuevo Liberalismo y «fusionó» en 1979", the ruling emphasizes. Lara Bonilla, a senator and Justice Minister from Huila, fought alongside Galán against drug trafficking and for extradition, but these stances were defended through Nuevo Liberalismo, not exclusively by Dignidad Liberal.
Lara Bonilla's 1984 assassination is attributed to his prominent role in the state's anti-drug policy, not to defending Dignidad Liberal's banners. "No tenía identidad propia” and “no desapareció por los hechos de violencia”, the Council reiterated. The National Electoral Council (CNE) had granted personality based on unproven facts, overlooking that political activities continued in Nuevo Liberalismo, which already holds legal personality.
This decision comes at a critical time, as Rodrigo Lara Restrepo planned Senate and House candidacies for Huila, including his brother Rodrigo Armando and Germán Darío 'Chicho' Rodríguez for congressional, gubernatorial, and Neiva mayoral elections.