Cali authorities announced the deployment of 500 additional police to secure the Cali Marathon, following a recent victimless attack. The plan features enhanced surveillance along the route and high-traffic areas, coupled with increased rewards for information on criminals linked to regional attacks.
The announcement came during a regional security council meeting, following a new attack in Cali that caused no casualties but was deemed serious by officials. This incident adds to other violent events recorded in recent years in the city and Palmira.
The marathon security strategy includes bolstered police presence at key city points, surveillance in participant gathering zones and along the race route. High-traffic areas will be prioritized, with strengthened safe corridors at accesses to Cali and Palmira. Coordination will involve the Police, National Government, and local administrations.
Parallel measures raised rewards: up to 5 billion pesos for alias Marlon, 500 million for alias Max Max, and 200 million for alias Oso Yogi, all linked to attacks in Cali and Palmira.
The council also outlined further actions, including a Rapid Deployment Force to southern Valle del Cauca and northern Cauca, eight additional Army platoons from mid-May, armored platoons in areas like Timba, unmanned aerial systems and anti-drone equipment, plus operations against drug trafficking and illegal mining.