Political Constitution of Colombia (1991)

The public services are inherent in the social purpose of the State. It is the duty of the State to insure the efficient provision thereof to all the inhabitants of the national territory.

The public services shall be subjected to the juridical regime determined by an Act, may be provided by the State directly or indirectly, by organized communities, or by individuals. In any case, the state shall maintain the regulation, control, and application of said services. If, for reasons of sovereignty or social interest, the State, by means of an Act approved by the majority of the members of both Houses upon the initiative of the Government, should decide to earmark for itself specific strategic or public service activities, it must indemnify, beforehand and fully, those individuals who by virtue of the said law are deprived of the exercise of a lawful activity.