The first activity scheduled by almost all the mayors of the capital cities who began their government on January 1, 2024 was a security council. It is not a coincidence, nor is it an act of populism. The latest surveys indicate that the main problem for citizens of large capitals is unrest in the streets.
Valledupar was no exception. Mayor Ernesto Orozco summoned the police authorities and the National Army with the aim of reducing the worrying rates of violence in the capital of Cesar.
It seems that the optimism that exists in some sectors regarding the arrival of the new president has not had an impact on the reduction of violence. In the first week of the year alone, 7 violent deaths have already been recorded in the capital.
It is clear that optimism does not impact the reduction of violence because its origins are structural. President Gustavo Petro experienced it. Although throughout his political career he defended the struggle of social leaders and their protection, placing responsibility on the government in power, murders have not decreased during his government.
Colombia as a State and each city in particular must look askance and in detail at what is currently happening in Ecuador, where organized crime managed to conquer so many spaces that it threatened its stability and institutions.
In the country we already experienced it, we fought and managed to reduce the military structures of rebels against the State, but not the common organized crime that does not threaten institutional stability, but does threaten the tranquility of citizens. But what happens in Ecuador is the overflow: this crime becomes so empowered, when it is tolerated or permissive with it, that in an implausible way it comes to compromise and call into question institutional stability.
What we see then is that crime does not respect government, nor change of government, whether at the national or local level. It is a daily occupation and for those who carry it out it is a normal job, although it does not appear in DANE records.
Valledupar, like other cities, in addition to more police, needs intelligence and coordination. Intelligence of those in charge of public and state security entities, but also technological intelligence to facilitate prevention and reaction to any crime. Civil officials, police, judges, prosecutors, jailers, citizens, private security guards, civil defense, taxi drivers, merchants, community boards, etc., must participate in the task of surveillance and solidarity collaboration. Under the concept and exercise of coordination, because if each entity or group continues working on its own, the impact of each strategy will be less.
If the crime is organized, the authorities must be structured, planned, strong, effective and well coordinated. Against crime you must always be one step ahead.