Cali's mayor, Alejandro Eder, presented his second-year management report, highlighting progress in infrastructure, security, and social development under the Invertir para crecer plan. He acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in security, but stressed the city's recovery despite 2025 violence. The report detailed works in neighborhoods like Obrero and positive economic impacts.
Mayor Alejandro Eder's management report
On December 20, 2025, Cali's mayor, Alejandro Eder, presented his second-year management report, joined by his cabinet. The balance focused on the Invertir para crecer program, described as the city's largest development bet, with a 3.5 trillion pesos investment, of which 1.4 trillion is financed and under execution. Currently, over 150 work fronts are active across 22 communes and most rural areas.
Eder acknowledged Cali's prior period of institutional deterioration, violence, and infrastructure lag. “These have been difficult years, but also years to show that Cali can move forward even amid adversity,” he stated. Despite 2025 terrorist attacks, the administration progressed in security, social investment, and public works.
In infrastructure, hundreds of kilometers of roads were intervened. A key project is the integral recovery of Avenida Ciudad de Cali, starting in January. The historic center's recovery includes semipedestrianization of Plaza de Caicedo and projects like Ciudad Paraíso.
Barrio Obrero, a traditional neighborhood, is undergoing transformation as part of the Recorrido Patrimonial del Complejo Musical-Dancístico de la Salsa. Over 9,400 square meters are being intervened with cobblestones, greening, and mural art. 750 square meters of cobblestones are already installed after network renewals. EDRU manager María Alexandra Pacheco highlighted advances in accessibility and pedestrian safety. 17 entrepreneurs received seed capital, and a CuidArte center was inaugurated for over 350 women.
In security, there was a sustained reduction in homicides and captures of those responsible. The Security Secretary said: “Security is not rhetoric; it is a responsibility assumed through decisions.”
Economically, COP 16 boosted foreign investment, tourism, and employment. Unemployment is at 8.5%, with 4.2% growth. 23 foreign projects worth over 150 million dollars were attracted, generating 4,000 jobs. The MIO system increased demand by over 4% in 2025, with 65% user satisfaction.
In education, Mi Cali Beca benefited 1,742 youth, and 49 works worth 500 million pesos are starting. In health, the ‘En-torno a tu salud’ model invested 69 billion pesos in three new hospitals.
Urbanist Young Hoon Kwaak praised the renewal: “Cali will become a number one city. Salsa was born here and the mayor is achieving urban renewal prioritizing pedestrianization.”
Eder concluded that 2026 will multiply visible works, though challenges in security and social cohesion persist.
