Colombia Traffic Cameras Face Review After 40,000 Tickets Flagged
COLOMBIA · TRANSPORT
Key Facts
—What happened: Colombia’s government flagged about 40,000 traffic-camera tickets as possibly irregular.
—How big it is: The review covers every traffic camera in the country, not just one city.
—What it means: Drivers with flagged tickets may have them cancelled if irregularities are confirmed.
—The catch: No ticket has been proven invalid yet; the figure is preliminary and under verification.
—Who it hits: Local transit authorities and camera operators that may have issued fines without proper certification.
—What comes next: The transport ministry and road safety agency will audit all cameras nationwide.
Every speed and red-light camera in the country is being checked. Colombia traffic cameras came under review in August, and the first sweep has flagged about 40,000 tickets.
President orders nationwide traffic camera review
President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered a nationwide traffic camera review on 23 August. He asked Transport Minister Elsa Noguera to examine how every camera works and whether it is lawful.
That translates as: “I ask you to thoroughly review the functioning and legality of all traffic cameras in the national territory. The order came after years of complaints about fines issued by cameras that may not have met legal standards.
First result: 40,000 possibly irregular tickets
On 6 September, the president announced the first result of that review. About 40,000 tickets nationwide may have been issued irregularly, according to El País of Cali and other Colombian media.
The tickets came from cameras that were authorized but never officially registered the date they began operating. The figure is preliminary and is being cross-checked against SIMIT, the national database that tracks traffic fines.
What are traffic camera fines?
In Colombia, traffic cameras issue automated fines, known locally as fotomultas, for speeding, running red lights, and other violations. The system is meant to improve road safety by deterring dangerous driving.
Local transit authorities run the cameras, often with private partners. Fines generate significant municipal revenue, raising concerns about profit motives.
Cartago’s separate case: one camera blocked
Cartago had its own issue beyond the 40,000 nationwide tickets. Authorities blocked a photo-detection system for failing technical standards.
That decision was not part of the 40,000 flagged tickets. It shows that some local authorities are already blocking cameras that fail to comply with the law.
Earlier investigation found millions of invalid fines
Colombia has faced traffic camera fine issues before. In May 2026, Semana reported that 5.8 million of 7.6 million tickets were revoked.
Those tickets failed to meet legal and technical requirements, including missing certification from the National Metrology Institute. That investigation happened under the previous government, before President de la Espriella took office.
What the law requires for cameras
Colombia’s Law 2251 of 2022 and Transport Ministry Resolution 718 set the rules for traffic cameras. A key requirement is a performance certificate from the National Metrology Institute, which proves a camera is accurate and reliable.
Without that certificate, tickets may be invalid. The earlier investigation found that many cameras operated without it, leading to the mass revocation of fines.
Who is investigating and how
The review is led by the transport ministry, with technical support from the National Road Safety Agency, known as ANSV. The agency is checking whether cameras were properly registered and calibrated.
The National Metrology Institute also plays a role, because its certification is a key legal requirement. Local transit authorities, like Cartago’s mobility secretariat, are subject to the review.
Reactions from authorities and operators
Cartago’s mobility secretariat and the camera operators have not responded to requests for comment. The government has not named any specific company or official as responsible.
President de la Espriella said on 6 September: “El dispositivo que no cumpla la ley no puede operar. Y donde encontremos irregularidades, actuaremos.
That means: “A device that does not comply with the law cannot operate. And where we find irregularities, we will act.”
What this means for drivers
If you have received a traffic camera fine, especially one flagged in the review, do not pay it yet. Wait for the official results, which will be announced by the transport ministry.
You can check if your ticket is listed in the SIMIT database. SIMIT is the national system that tracks traffic fines, and it will show if your fine is under review.
The bigger picture: safety vs. revenue
President de la Espriella has stressed that traffic cameras should be about safety, not revenue. He said: “¡Las fotomultas son para salvar vidas, no para hacer negocios con los ciudadanos!”
That translates as: “Traffic cameras are to save lives, not to do business with citizens! The review aims to stop schemes structured primarily to collect money from drivers.
How the review will work
The transport ministry will lead the review, with technical checks by the National Road Safety Agency (ANSV). The metrology institute’s certification is a key test for each camera.
Cameras without proper registration or calibration could see their fines voided. The government has not yet set a timeline for finishing the review.
What drivers should do now
If you got a traffic camera fine, check the SIMIT database to see if it is flagged. SIMIT is the national system that tracks traffic fines.
Do not pay a disputed fine yet. Wait for the official results from the transport ministry, which will say which tickets are invalid.
The role of private camera operators
Many Colombian cities hire private firms to run traffic cameras. These firms often get a share of the fines they help collect.
That payment model has drawn criticism. Critics say it encourages cameras that exist mainly to raise money, not to improve safety.
What happens next
The transport ministry will publish the final list of irregular tickets after checking them against SIMIT. The government says it will act against any camera that breaks the law.
President de la Espriella has promised to push for legal changes if needed. He wants to stop what he calls business schemes that abuse drivers.
How fotomultas work
Fotomultas are automated traffic fines issued by cameras. They catch speeding, red lights, and other violations.
Local transit authorities run the cameras, often with private partners. The fines bring money to city budgets.
Who is Elsa Noguera
Elsa Noguera is Colombia’s transport minister. She oversees roads, transit, and traffic enforcement.
President de la Espriella publicly asked her to lead the review. She has not yet commented on the findings.
What the law demands
Law 2251 of 2022 and Resolution 718 set the rules for cameras. A key rule is a performance certificate from the National Metrology Institute.
That certificate proves a camera is accurate and reliable. Without it, tickets may be invalid, as earlier probes found.
Cartago’s role in the probe
Cartago is a city in Valle del Cauca, about 300 kilometers southwest of Bogotá. Its mobility secretariat is one of the authorities under review.
The city’s 40,000 suspicious tickets are part of a broader national pattern. Earlier, Cartago had 129,661 tickets flagged from 2019 to 2024.
What drivers should watch
If you have a fotomulta, check the SIMIT database to see if it is flagged. SIMIT is the national system that tracks traffic fines.
Do not pay a disputed fine yet. Wait for the transport ministry’s final list of invalid tickets.
Who is President Abelardo de la Espriella
Abelardo de la Espriella became Colombia’s president on 7 August 2026, succeeding Gustavo Petro. He is serving a four-year term that runs until 2030.
He has made fighting abuses against drivers a priority. This review is part of that effort, and he has publicly backed Transport Minister Elsa Noguera in her work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fotomulta?
A fotomulta is an automated traffic fine issued by a camera that captures speeding, red-light violations, or other infractions. The system is meant to improve road safety by deterring dangerous driving.
Why is the government reviewing traffic cameras?
The review was ordered after years of complaints about fines issued by cameras that may not have met legal standards. The first result flagged about 40,000 tickets as possibly irregular.
Will my traffic fine be cancelled?
Not automatically. Each ticket is checked individually.
Who is conducting the review?
The transport ministry and the National Road Safety Agency (ANSV) are leading the review. The National Metrology Institute also plays a role because its certification is required for cameras to be legal.
When will the review be finished?
No official deadline has been announced. The review is expected to take several months, and results will be communicated by the government.
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