The principle of legality of crimes in Colombia and Germany: Difference in similarity?

This essay analyses how Colombian and German law has treated the principle of legality of crimes. From a comparative perspective, it is shown that the scope of this principle is closely related to the system of legal sources of each jurisdiction while also addressing some of the discussions that have occurred concerning the constitutional development of the principle that has led to a qualification of its manifestations. The essay concludes that studies on criminal law in Colombia and, indeed, in Latin America in general, must take into account the relationship of the region's various legal systems with those of continental Europe, but they must not lose sight of the important particularities of the Latin American law.