The Petro government has not yet signed the cofinancing agreement for the Tren de Cercanías project in Valle del Cauca, days before the Ley de Garantías takes effect on November 8. This strategic initiative would connect Cali, Jamundí, Yumbo, and Palmira, benefiting over 3.5 million residents and cutting travel times by 33%. Regional leaders demand fulfillment of commitments to prevent delays of at least two years.
Valle del Cauca has pursued the Tren de Cercanías project for over a decade, a key initiative to link Cali, Jamundí, Yumbo, and Palmira, where more than 165,000 people commute daily amid nearly 3.5 million residents. The first phase, spanning 22 kilometers between Cali and Jamundí, would cut average travel times by 33%, prevent over 300,000 tons of CO₂ emissions in its first ten years, and draw investments of nearly 12 billones de pesos.
The project would create over 14,000 direct and indirect jobs and serve more than one million passengers, marking the largest infrastructure investment in Valle's history. It would boost the construction supply chain, metalworking industry, and regional rail sector. Backed by the private sector and international cooperation, it has endured three cycles of mayors, governors, and presidents, featuring advanced technical studies and validation by the Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional (FDN).
Listed in the Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2022-2026, the Gustavo Petro government designated it a strategic project. In September 2025, the Ministry of Transport stated the cofinancing agreement would be signed in October, with 70% funding from the nation and 30% from territorial entities including the Gobernación del Valle, Cali, and Jamundí. Yet as of November 5, 2025, the agreement remains unsigned, with no technical hurdles but a apparent lack of political will.
Of the over 20 strategic projects for the region in the national plan, none have advanced, despite Valle's strong support for Petro. Failure to sign before November 8 could delay the project by two years, necessitating restarted processes, updated studies, and higher financial costs. Columnist Edwin Maldonado presses the president: 'Signing the agreement before November 8 would not be a favor, but an act of justice and coherence.'