No, butterfly knives (balisongs) are prohibited in Colombia under Decree 2535 of 1993, which classifies them as “prohibited weapons.” Carrying or manufacturing them risks fines up to 1,000 minimum legal wages and potential criminal charges under the National Code of Weapons and Explosives. Recent 2026 amendments to Law 2282 reinforce enforcement, mandating police seizures and mandatory destruction of confiscated balisongs.
Key Regulations for Butterfly Knives (Balisongs) in Colombia
- Prohibition Status: Decree 2535 of 1993 explicitly bans balisongs, categorizing them alongside switchblades and disguised blades as “prohibited weapons.”
- Penalties: Violations trigger administrative fines (up to 1,000 minimum legal wages) and criminal liability under Article 365 of the National Code of Weapons and Explosives, with potential imprisonment.
- Enforcement: The 2026 amendments to Law 2282 authorize police to confiscate balisongs without prior warning and mandate their destruction upon seizure, eliminating judicial discretion for retention.