The Government of Colombia is a republic with separation of powers into executive, judicial and legislative branches.

This safeguards the public, and guarantees the human rights spelled out in the Constitution of 1991, which provides the framework for a welfare state and a unitary republic.

Colombia has "control institutions" that mix government and public officials, who work alongside one another.

Mayors are subordinated to the governors, who are the maximum representatives of the executive branch of government at a municipal level.

The judiciary comprises a hierarchical system of courts presided over by judges, magistrates and other adjudicators.