Several Latin American countries, including Mexico, Chile, and Argentina, have recently taken steps to expand abortion access. In Colombia, the Center and its Colombian-based partners have brought a lawsuit to decriminalize abortion. The question currently rests before a panel of judges. Reuters quoted Catalina Martinez Coral, the Center’s Regional Director of Latin America and the Caribbean, on the issue. She stated, “The fact that abortion exists as a crime does not dissuade women from seeking an abortion, it just pushes them to seek clandestine and often unsafe abortions, putting their lives and health at risk.” 

Read more about the case in Colombia and about the expansion of abortion rights in Latin America: 

• Reuters: Colombia judges split on removing abortion from penal code, 1.20.22
• Los Angeles Times: Across Latin America, abortion restrictions are being loosened, 09.12.2021
• El Pais: La despenalización del aborto avanza en América Latina a pesar de las dificultades, 10.23.21
• Deutsche Welle: ¿Derecho o delito? Colombia evalúa la despenalización total del Aborto, 11.18.21
• CNN: Protestas en apoyo y en contra del aborto mientras la Corte Constitucional de Colombia estudia su despenalización, 11.18.21