Colombia's Cajamarca landslide disrupts key Buenaventura‑Bogotá transport corridor

A landslide on July 25 in Cajamarca, Colombia, blocked a vital stretch of the corridor that carries about 70 % of cargo moving from the Pacific port of Buenaventura to the capital, Bogotá. The blockage has caused freight delays, higher transport costs and rising prices for families as the supply chain stalls.

Local leaders and transport unions are demanding a public timetable for a double‑lane upgrade between Ibagué and Cajamarca, budget allocation in the next investment plan, and citizen oversight to prevent further delays. In the short term they call for real‑time information on crossing times, safe waiting areas for drivers, and contingency plans for perishable food and medicines. One driver was stranded for five hours without water or sanitation, highlighting the state's failure to provide basic support.

President‑elect Abelardo De la Espriella has been urged to address the issue, with calls for the corridor to be treated as the main artery of Colombian commerce and for immediate measures to ensure its resilience before the next winter season.