Colombian cities grapple with soaring homicide rates and ignored security alerts

Early warning systems flagged a deteriorating security situation in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga five years ago, yet institutional response remained inadequate. The latest alert warns of expanding illegal economies such as illegal mining and the arrival of new armed actors, highlighting a chronic neglect that could allow organized crime to entrench further.

In the Atlántico department, the first half of 2026 recorded 670 homicides, making it the third‑most lethal department in Colombia after Valle del Cauca and Antioquia. Gangs such as “Los Costeños,” “Los Pepes,” and “Nueva Generación” have intensified extortion and territorial control, forcing businesses and schools to close under threat. Officials blame insufficient police staffing, under‑investment in security zones, and the failure of the national “Paz Total” strategy to dismantle these networks.