Video | The moving words of President De La Espriella to the mother of police officer María José Recuero, who died confronting thieves in Cali

NewsThe president Abelardo De La Espriella and the director of the National Police accompanied the family members of patrol officer María José Recuero Suárez. President Abelardo De La Espriella with the mother of patrol officer María José Recuero, who died after confronting some thieves. Photo: Abelardo De La Espriella's account on X and National PoliceJOURNALIST25.10.2026 08:05 Updated: 25.10.2026 08:34 In an emotional encounter marked by grief and the cry for justice, the president of the Republic, Abelardo de la Espriella, was in Cali accompanying the mother and other loved ones of National Police patrol officer María José Recuero Suárez, following her tragic death when, in an act of heroism, she confronted a criminal gang in the center of the capital of Valle on October 23. The videoToday I accompanied in Cali the mother and family of our patrol officer María José Recuero, amid a pain that no mother should ever have to endure. I have personally expressed my condolences and my commitment to them: HER DEATH WILL NOT GO UNPUNISHED! We will not rest until those responsible answer to justice. I will not leave her family alone. I will accompany them and provide all the help within my reach. María José gave her life in service to the Homeland and Colombia will never forget her sacrifice. May God grant them strength and comfort. Firm for the Homeland! Long live Christ the King! (A. D. L. E.) 🇨🇴🐅— Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) October 25, 2026 Patrol officer María José Recuero died in a heroic act. Photo:Abelardo De La Espriella's account on X and National PoliceThe patrol officer, 20 years old and born in Montería, capital of the department of Córdoba, along with two colleagues confronted the criminals over the theft of a motorcycle from an off-duty Valle Police officer. The head of state shared time directly with the mother and relatives of the officer at her residence, extending a message of deep solidarity and a firm State commitment regarding the events. During the meeting, President De la Espriella stated, moved:'Her death will not go unpunished!'"Today I accompanied in Cali the mother and family of our patrol officer María José Recuero, amid a pain that no mother should ever have to endure." Before the officer's relatives, the head of state affirmed that the authorities will deploy all their capabilities to locate the perpetrators of the crime. President Abelardo De La Espriella with the mother of patrol officer María José Recuero. Photo:Abelardo De La Espriella's account on X and National Police"I have personally expressed my condolences and my commitment to them: Her death will not go unpunished! We will not rest until those responsible answer to justice," said President De La Espriella. Likewise, the head of state stressed that the institutions will maintain unconditional and permanent support for the patrol officer's family in these difficult moments, taking on their care going forward. Patrol officer María José Recuero Suárez remains in an ICU. Photo:Private archive, social media'I will not leave her family alone!'"I will not leave her family alone. I will accompany them and provide all the help within my reach. María José gave her life in service to the homeland and Colombia will never forget her sacrifice. May God grant them strength and comfort," he added. The police officer who died confronting a gang of thieves in Cali. Photo:Abelardo De La Espriella's account on X and National PoliceJoining the voices of rejection and mourning was the general director of the National Police, Major General Jesús Alejandro Barrera, who officially spoke out about the painful loss that mourns the armed institution and the country, highlighting the officer's courage and the firmness with which the corresponding investigations will be carried out. "Colombia loses a brave woman who gave her life protecting others, our Patrol Officer María José Recuero Suárez," said the high-ranking officer. The director of the institution ratified that no institutional efforts will be spared in the pursuit of the criminals involved in the homicide, rigorously aligning with the presidential directive to apply the full weight of the law. "I reiterate the institution's commitment to her family and to justice: we will not rest until those responsible for her homicide answer to the law," he concluded. CAROLINA BOHÓRQUEZ EL TIEMPO CorrespondentCali 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 with what really matters to you. EL TIEMPO GOOGLE NEWSFollow us on GOOGLE NEWS. Always stay up to date with the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on Google News. EL TIEMPO WHATSAPPJoin El Tiempo's channel on WhatsApp to stay up to date with the most relevant news as it happens. EL TIEMPO APPStay informed with the EL TIEMPO app. Receive the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on your device. SUBSCRIBE TO THE DIGITAL EDITIONReliable information for you. Subscribe to EL TIEMPO and access our journalistic content without limits.