A wave of rejection was generated by the information revealed by SEMANA this Sunday: FARC dissidents devised a plan to attack the mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder, and the governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro. The national government ordered their security to be reinforced as soon as the incident became known.
The Jaime Martínez structure sent its urban commission to monitor the two Cali politicians, and during a search operation, they found sensitive information:"Documents and photographs," revealed a source close to the case. The information indicated that the terrorist attack was about to materialize.
Once SEMANA shared this news, various sectors of national politics rejected the events, asked the authorities to advance the investigations to find the whereabouts of those responsible and requested extreme protection measures for the country's leaders.
The Attorney General's Office, on behalf of Gregorio Eljach, spoke out after the news on its social networks:"Emphatically rejects any attempt by illegal groups to attempt against the life of the mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder, and the governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro."
Attorney General Gregorio Eljach Pacheco emphatically rejects any attempt by illegal groups to attempt against the life of the mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder, and the governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro.
— Procuraduría General de la Nación (@PGN_COL) August 24, 2025
Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán also expressed solidarity: “The threats are becoming a common sight. Every week, a different politician is in danger. It is urgent that the national government strengthen the security of local leaders throughout the country and strengthen intelligence capabilities.”
All my solidarity with the mayor @alejoeder and with the governor @DilianFrancisca.
— Carlos F. Galán (@CarlosFGalan) August 24, 2025
The threats are becoming a common sight. Every week a different politician is in danger.
It is urgent that the National Government reinforce the security of local leaders at all times…
Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez said that Colombia is returning to the worst times of violence: "We have come out ahead in the worst moments of our history. The serious thing about all this is that the ones who have protected the FARC dissidents, the ELN, and other criminal organizations have been Petro himself and his government."
They brought us back to the worst times.
— Fico Gutiérrez (@FicoGutierrez) August 24, 2025
All my solidarity with the Mayor of Cali @alejoeder and the Governor of Valle @DilianFrancisca . The FARC dissidents had an attack prepared against them. A criminal plan that seeks to silence those of us who oppose what is happening today... https://t.co/GeP1KxQHuQ
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Julián López, joined the messages: “We strongly reject the threats against the mayor of Cali and the governor of Valle del Cauca. Democracy cannot give in to violence. We offer our solidarity and support at this time. Life and peace are sacred!”
We strongly reject the threats against the mayor of Cali, @alejoeder, and the governor of Valle, @DilianFrancisca. Democracy cannot give in to violence. All our solidarity and support at this time. Life and peace are sacred! https://t.co/hHSH1XtoXg
— Julián López (@Julianlopezte) August 24, 2025
Presidential candidate Mauricio Lizcano condemned the threats: “ My complete solidarity with them. Institutions cannot be subservient to the violent: they must be confronted with the full force of the State. We demand that the national government protect them and respond immediately to recover the territory.”
We condemn the threats against the governor of Valle del Cauca, @DilianFrancisca, and the mayor of Cali, @alejoeder. My complete solidarity with them. Institutions cannot be subject to the violent: they must be confronted with the full force of the State.
— Mauricio Lizcano (@MauricioLizcano) August 24, 2025
We demand…
Daniel Palacios, a candidate for the Nariño House of Representatives, expressed: “My solidarity with Alejandro Eder and the governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro. Today it seems that Colombians only have God to protect them. Gustavo Petro, you don't govern with charlatanism, you govern with authority.”
My solidarity with @alejoeder and the governor of Valle @DilianFrancisca.
— Daniel Palacios (@DanielPalam) August 24, 2025
Today it seems that Colombians only have God to take care of us...
@petrogustavo, you don't govern with charlatanism, you govern with authority. https://t.co/iAyO2WK2o0
Finally, the governor of Santander, Juvenal Díaz Mateus, warned that these intimidations are a symptom of the growth of illegal organizations:"The growing audacity of criminal groups, which are no longer just assassinating presidential candidates, attacking law enforcement and defenseless civilians, but are now also threatening regional leaders, is an alarming sign of the rise of criminal activity that we cannot tolerate."
