[1] Created in 1817 by Simón Bolívar, the Council of State of Colombia is the oldest judicial organ still in operation in Latin America.
[3] The Council may: introduce bills relating to its functions; cancel the investiture of members of Congress in accordance with law; and make a ruling on the transit of foreign troops through the national territory.
[5] The Council of State was consulted in 2009 on a proposed agreement to permit increased use of Colombian bases by US military personnel.
[6] Despite criticism by the Council describing some aspects of the pact as "very broad and imbalanced", in October President Alvaro Uribe went ahead and signed the agreement.
[8] In March 2012 the Council of State overruled the appointment as Chief Prosecutor of Viviane Morales Hoyes, on the grounds that the process of electing her in the Supreme Court had been invalid.