The new security architecture in Valle del Cauca: homicides fell 22% and authorities urge people not to let their guard down

NewsOperation Iron by the Attorney General's Office and Police in Cali. Photo: Attorney General's OfficeJOURNALIST16.10.2026 16:59 Updated: 16.10.2026 16:59 Crime figures in Valle del Cauca continue to show a trend that, from the Governor's Office, is highlighted as positive. According to their indicators, during the month of September 2026, a total of 21 municipalities in the region registered a reduction in the homicide rate, consolidating an overall drop of 22% across the entire department. This result is the product of coordinated work between the Governor's Office, the national Government, the Public Force, and the Office of the Attorney General. The department also seeks to strengthen its operational capabilities. Photo: Valle del Cauca Governor's OfficeThe governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro, highlighted the sustainability of this security strategy. "For two months now, since the start of the term of the President of the Republic, Abelardo De La Espriella, we have seen a downward trend in homicides, but also in all crimes. It is very important to tell the community that we are working hand in hand, in a coordinated manner, with the Public Force and the Attorney General's Office to ensure that the people of Valle feel safer and, of course, more at peace," said the departmental governor. READ ALSO Fifteen municipalities with zero homicidesThe Secretary of Coexistence and Citizen Security of Valle del Cauca, Guillermo Londoño, detailed that the results are not only percentage-based, but absolute in several areas of the region. "A total of 15 municipalities registered zero homicides in the month of September. In addition, the Love and Friendship weekend was the least violent compared to the 11 years of records we have, that is, a reduction of approximately 68%," said the official. The department also has support from drone systems. Photo: Valle del Cauca Governor's OfficeOf this group of 15 localities, 11 reported a 100% reduction compared to the same period of the previous year (Dagua, El Cairo, El Dovio, Guacarí, La Unión, La Victoria, Restrepo, San Pedro, Trujillo, Versalles, and Zarzal). To these are added La Cumbre, Riofrío, Ulloa, and Calima-El Darién, which remained at 0 cases, just as in the comparative period of 2025. Major cities set the paceBeyond the small municipalities, the department's main cities also showed significant declines that directly impact the perception of security for the majority of the population. Buenaventura leads this effort with a significant drop of 83%, followed by Tuluá (-60%), Buga and Bugalagrande (-50% each), Palmira (-28%), and the capital, Cali, which also registered a decrease of 20%. Complete list of the 21 municipalities with reductionsThe departmental Government made public the details of the localities that contributed to the 22% drop in total homicides in Valle del Cauca during September 2026. Chart showing the number of homicides reduced in Valle. Photo: Valle del Cauca Governor's OfficeWith these results, the departmental Government reiterated its commitment to redouble efforts in the fight against crime, maintaining institutional presence and inter-institutional coordination to protect the people of Valle and consolidate territorial peace in the region. The Security Levy, the support to shield the departmentAs part of its security strategy, the Governor's Office is advancing an ambitious technological renewal and infrastructure project for the Public Force, financed with resources from the Security Levy, in a bid to counter the actions of common crime, drug trafficking, and illegal armed structures in the department. Among the standout projects is the comprehensive upgrade of the National Police communications network for Cali and the department, whose technology had not been renewed in three decades. The investment for this component amounts to 50 billion pesos."We are going to install between 500 and 600 video cameras in the department, but we are also going to renew the entire Police communications network, an investment of 50 billion pesos in a platform that had not been updated in 30 years. The uniformed officers are already being trained, and they even received training in the United States," said the governor of Valle, Dilian Francisca Toro. For the authorities, December is one of the most challenging months. Photo: Police Archive. Smart arches and anti-drone technologyFrom the departmental Government, they explain that the strengthening plan includes the deployment of state-of-the-art technology on the main road corridors and strategic access points. In key locations such as the Vía al Mar toward Buenaventura, the access to Jamundí, and the entrances to the Vallecaucano capital, security arches with automatic license plate recognition systems will be implemented to identify suspicious vehicles and prevent attacks. The departmental administration will continue delivering vehicles to the Army and the Police, activating a specialized technological platform to combat kidnapping and extortion, and strengthening anti-drone capabilities for the Navy, the Army, and the Police — key tools to protect the civilian population and the Public Force against new forms of attack. Demolition of buildings affected by the earthquake in Cali. Photo: Follow all the news from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. EL TIEMPO NEWSLETTERSSign up for our newsletters and receive news in your email according to your interests. Stay informed about what really matters to you. EL TIEMPO GOOGLE NEWSFollow us on GOOGLE NEWS. 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