Cali advances contingency plan for the commemoration of the national strike on April 28

There are only a few days before the anniversary of the remembered national strike in 2021, a fact that shocked the country by the violence of some members of the security forces against protesters, and vice versa. Social protest took over major cities and unprecedented events were recorded, even putting institutions at risk. Approaching the year of this event, it is expected that commemoration events will be held, many of them with an epicenter in Cali, since this city was one of the protagonists. Given this, the local city administration decided to implement a preventive plan to avoid any kind of irregularity and disorder that may affect the community in general.

As an advance measure, the mayor's office of Jorge Iván Ospina convened an extraordinary security council, which addressed specific issues regarding possible mobilizations. Delegates from the Government of the Valley, Police, Army and other entities competent for this case attended.

On the subject, Carlos Soler, Secretary of Security and Justice of Cali, said:

Similarly, different measures were evaluated to reduce the risk of leaders in the city in the face of increased violence. Soler pointed out that the entire institution is in a position to react to any event. However, despite the enlistment, the day is expected to pass in total normality and in a peaceful manner.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of Security and Justice explained that after the diagnosis made, the only thing on the agenda is the development of some cultural events in the east and west of the city, Soler said: “There are two or three events that are going to be processed, there are two velatons: one in the Puerto Rellena sector in the morning and another in the sector of Siloé, and, later, a concert at the Mariano Ramos. Everyone has some requests and there are formal commitments not to make blockades, and not to generate any kind of disturbance.”

It is important to note that the places mentioned above were important niches for the development of the protests, since unfortunately in the Siloé sector, several people were injured. According to the community, the same public force allegedly attacked the protesters. On the other hand, in eastern Cali, Puerto Filena was called 'Puerto Resistencia', since it was here that the controversial monument of the strike was built and, in addition, the riots were focused with the authorities.

According to the municipal administration, several restrictions will be implemented to prevent possible disturbances, and the dry law could be established in days prior to the commemoration. “There are going to be some restrictions in principle of an administrative type, first on rubble, second on gas pipettes (...). So far it is not taken from any restriction on the sale of liquor and depending on what happens, this decision can be made,” added Soler.

The Unified Command Post (PMU) will be installed on 27 April, while all operational coercion actions will be carried out from 26. The Metropolitan Police of Cali will be reinforced in its force with 5,000 uniformed personnel who will be deployed in about 12 strategic points of the urban and rural perimeter. In addition, progress is expected to be made in the custody of special sites such as banks, CAI'S, Supermarkets and the general infrastructure of MIO.

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