Rodrigo Uprimny is a Colombian jurist, university professor, and regular columnist for El Espectador. His academic and professional career has been linked to constitutional law, access to justice, and human rights.
In the column titled "A Troublesome Shortlist of One," published on August 17, 2025, Uprimny examines the shortlist submitted by the Supreme Court of Justice for the election of a Constitutional Court judge.
The author argues that, although the requirement of submitting three names is formally met, in practice two of the members lack real options, which turns the process into a "shortlist of one." This situation, he warns, limits plurality and reduces the legitimacy of the mechanism.
Uprimny emphasizes that the Constitutional Court plays a central role in Colombian democracy, guaranteeing the supremacy of the Constitution and protecting fundamental rights. Therefore, he finds it concerning that the selection of judges is becoming a formality without real debate or alternatives.
The jurist concludes that respect for the spirit of the shortlist mechanism is essential to preserving the Court's independence and its institutional credibility in the country.
Original source: https://www.elespectador.com/opinion/columnistas/rodrigo-uprimny/una-problematica-terna-de-uno/