National Security Zones Law
Strategic Assessment Center
Article 45.
The Strategic Assessment Center is responsible for tracking and ongoing assessment of the situation to produce timely alerts as necessary, having under its responsibility the operation of the Situation Room of the President of the Republic.
Strategic Policy Center
Article 46.
The Center for Strategic Policy is responsible for proposing to the Council of National Defense, through the Interagency Working Committees and Emergency Committees, policies and strategies for solving problems related to safety and overall defense.
TITLE IV
SAFETY ZONE
Chapter I
Definition and Classification
Safety Zones
Article 47.
Security Zones are areas of the country which, by their strategic importance, characteristics, and elements that form them, are subject to special rules in terms of people, goods, and activities present there, in order to ensure the protection of these areas from hazards or internal or external threats. The respective regulations govern all matters concerning the subject.
Classification of Security Zones
Article 48.
The National Executive, upon recommendation of the Council of National Defense, may declare as Security Zones the following geographic areas of the country:
- A Border Security Zone.
- An area adjacent to the sea, lakes, islands, and navigable rivers.
- Areas with transmission pipelines, pipelines, aqueducts, and leading power lines.
- The areas surrounding military and public facilities, basic industries, strategic and essential services.
- The airspace over military facilities, basic industries, strategic and essential services.
- The areas adjacent to the channels of communications carriers, land and water, of the highest order.
- Any other area deemed necessary for the security and defense of the Nation.
Border Safety Zone
Article 49.
For the purposes of this Act, the Border Safety Zone means an enclosed area comprising a strip of border security and a variable extension of the national territory, adjacent to the territorial-political boundary of the Republic, subject to special regulations that encourage full development, in order to protect the borders and control the presence and activities of nationals and foreigners who, from these geographical areas, could pose potential threats affecting the territorial integrity and thus the security of the Nation.
Declaration of Public Utility
Article 50.
The National Executive Council, with prior opinion of the National Defense Council, may by regulation declare public utility, for the purposes of this Act, the geographical areas comprising the Security Zones, fixing the extension of the same in whole or in sectors, which may be changed as circumstances require, and may exercise its control, regulating the presence and activity of domestic and foreign individuals and corporations in these areas.
Restitution
Article 51.
The road corridors by land, air, or water that provide access to facilities that are declared security zones shall not be obstructed. In case of this situation, those responsible will be punished in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the matter, with competent authorities being obliged to immediately restore free access.
Special Arrangements for the Security Zones
Article 52.
Special rules for security zones determine the procedure for their declaration, the rules on people, goods, and activities within them, and the sanctions that would apply, all in accordance with the provisions of this Law and the legal system in force.
PART V
OF SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES
Application of Sanctions
Article 53.
All residents or passers-by in the country are hereby required to meet the requirements made to them by state agencies on matters related to the security and defense of the Nation. Failure to do so will lead to civil sanctions, criminal, administrative, and financial penalties in accordance with the legal provisions in force.
Duty to Provide Information or Data
Article 54.
Natural or legal persons, domestic or foreign, and public officials who are required to provide data and information referred to in this Act and who refuse to do so, or who give false information, shall be punished with imprisonment of two (2) to four (4) years in the case of individuals, and four (4) to six (6) years in the case of public officials.
Reserve Disclosure or Supply of Data or Information
Article 55.
All those officials or civil servants serving in any of the bodies of the public or state institutions who disclose or provide data or information to any individual or another state, compromising the security and defense of the Nation, shall be punished with imprisonment of five (5) to ten (10) years.
Failure to Comply with Special Arrangements for Security Zones
Article 56.
Anyone who organizes, holds, or instigates the execution of activities within security zones, which are intended to disrupt or affect the organization and operation of military facilities, utilities, basic industries and companies, or the social and economic life of the country, shall be punished with imprisonment of five (5) to ten (10) years.