With five votes in favor and four against, Colombia's constitutional court issued a ruling yesterday decriminalizing abortion in this South American republic. Given that, like many of its neighbors, Colombia is a Catholic country, where the church and right-wing parties exert a strong influence on judicial decisions, this is undoubtedly a landmark ruling that continues a trend already set in Mexico and Argentina.

I am aware that the issue of abortion is quite contentious and generates many conflicting opinions, but the fact that a woman who wishes to have an abortion (and who is going to have one in any case) can do it safely is a huge achievement. Well done!