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Colombia Cali inauguration: security, protests, dry law

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-05 17:12 UTC → 2026-08-07 00:05 UTC · added removed

Colombia Cali inauguration: security, protests, dry law, drone ban, gun hold law

In late July 2026, Colombia scheduled its presidential inauguration for 7 August in Cali, a move hailed for decentralisation but criticised for the heavy militarised presence and forced evictions in the Brisas de las Torres neighbourhood. A femicide case in the surrounding rural area and protests along the Cali‑Candelaria corridor highlighted ongoing gender‑based violence and demands for broader reforms. Ahead of the ceremony, authorities imposed a temporary ban on drone flights in Cali and nearby municipalities (Yumbo, Jamundí, Candelaria, Palmira). The restriction, enforced by the Civil Aviation Authority, allowed only armed forces, police, intelligence and emergency services to operate UAVs with special permission. On 2 August, the city announced a comprehensive dry‑law decree for inauguration day, prohibiting the sale, distribution and consumption of alcohol, the sale of fuel in informal containers, moving services and the transport of construction debris across all 22 communes and 15 districts from 06:00 a.m. to 08:00 20:00 p.m. The decree also extended the drone ban from 00:00 6 August to 23:59 8 August, covering recreational, commercial and journalistic flights. The national defence ministry confirmed the deployment of more than 11 000 military and police personnel—including special‑operations, anti‑explosives, traffic, aerial and river units—coordinated by Defence Minister Angélica Verbel López, Mayor Alejandro Eder and Security Secretary Jairo García Guerrero. These measures aim to ensure a peaceful transfer of power and protect national and international delegations. In addition, the The Colombian National Army temporarily suspended civilian firearm and traumatic‑weapon permits for the inauguration weekend. The Third Brigade halted permits weekend, with specific bans in Valle del Cauca from 00:00 6 August to 06:00 9 August, while the Thirteenth Brigade imposed a similar ban in Cauca, Bogotá and most of Cundinamarca from 18:00 6 August Cundinamarca. Security measures also spread to 18:00 8 August, with specific municipalities excluded. Law‑enforcement agencies, the judiciary neighbouring Cauca department, where the conflict‑prone Bajo Cauca subregion saw increased police presence, aerial monitoring, road closures and active or veteran military personnel were exempt. strict access controls to protect the ceremony despite ongoing illegal mining, coca cultivation and armed‑group activity.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-07 00:05 UTC Colombia Cali inauguration: security, protests, dry law
  2. 2026-08-05 17:12 UTC Colombia Cali inauguration: dry law, drone ban, gun hold
  3. 2026-08-04 17:10 UTC Colombia Cali inauguration, dry law & security ops
  4. 2026-08-04 15:13 UTC Colombia Cali inauguration, drone ban and security ops
  5. 2026-08-04 12:53 UTC Colombia Cali inauguration and security measures

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