In Colombia's Huila department, 41 fireworks burn cases were recorded during the 2025-2026 holiday season, including 13 on New Year's Eve. While numbers indicate a decline from the previous year, minors remain a major concern, with seven affected overall. Officials note broader security gains, including drops in homicides and thefts.
The official tally from New Year's celebrations in Colombia's Huila department shows 41 people injured by fireworks during the 2025-2026 holiday season, a 17.3% drop from the 49 cases recorded by the same date last year. The surge came on the night of December 31, 2025, and into the early hours of January 1, 2026, with 13 new incidents: six in Neiva, two in Aipe and two in Pitalito, plus one each in Algeciras, El Agrado, and La Plata.
Departmental Health Secretary César Germán Roa noted that one of Neiva's six cases involved a 13-year-old minor. Overall, seven of the 41 victims are children, two supervised by intoxicated adults at the time. Of the 34 adults hurt, 18 were under alcohol's influence. Roa stressed: “We insist on the call for responsibility to avoid these regrettable incidents, which cause mutilations and severe injuries.”
By municipality, Neiva tops the list with 17 cases, followed by Acevedo and Pitalito at four each, and Oporapa with three. Huila Police reported security progress: homicides fell 38% in December 2025 (from 32 to 20 cases), saving 12 lives, and 3% for the year. Lt. Col. Óscar Cárdenas cited two homicides before midnight in Guadalupe and Pitalito, and four afterward in Algeciras, Colombia, El Agrado, and La Plata, with two immediate arrests.
Other crimes declined: personal thefts by 18% (363 fewer), cell phone thefts by 37%, commercial thefts by 23%, residential burglaries by 19%, rural livestock theft by 74%, kidnappings by 12%, and extortions by 11%. Over 32 kg of fireworks—about 30,000 pyrotechnic units—were seized.
In Neiva, Col. Héctor Jairo Betancourt reported no homicides on December 31 night, despite handling 120 brawls without fatalities. December had four fewer homicides than 2024, with drops in violence against women and domestic abuse, plus 30 fewer motorcycle thefts. No extortion complaints surfaced. Department-wide, 30 brawls injured 10 people, leading to 12 fines.
Authorities launch 2026 with the “Desenguayabe” plan to curb alcohol-fueled intolerance, targeting tourist spots and commercial areas. They urge avoiding fireworks and moderating drinks at remaining festivities.
Nationally, Colombia's National Health Institute logged 1,028 fireworks burns by year's end, up 7% from 2024, with 324 minors affected (32.3%).
