Overview
- The law (No. 32523) inserts article 125-A into the Penal Code and is now in force after official publication.
- Throwing solid waste into the channel, bed, bank or marginal strip of a river or quebrada that endangers life or health carries a base sentence of two to four years in prison.
- Penalties rise to four to six years when trucks or other heavy machinery are used or when the conduct damages public infrastructure.
- The initiative was introduced by congresswoman Norma Yarrow and won broad backing in Congress, including more than 100 votes in its initial plenary.
- The National Water Authority welcomed the change, noting it enables criminal cases and saying it is coordinating with municipalities on monitoring efforts after years of relying mainly on fines.