Cali Mayor: City More Secure After Key Dissident Leader 'Marlon' Eliminated, Urges President to Prioritize Security

Cali is significantly more secure following the elimination of alias Marlon, a high-ranking leader of dissident factions, Mayor Alejandro Eder announced. Marlon, who commanded the 'Jaime Martínez' front, was responsible for a series of deadly attacks in Cali and the neighboring municipality of Jamundí.

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Cali is more secure without 'Marlon'.

"The region wakes up more secure today because Mr. Marlon no longer exists," Eder told EL TIEMPO. He detailed Marlon's responsibility for bombings in Cali since April of the previous year, which resulted in the deaths of 10 civilians and injured over 150 others, some critically. Marlon was also implicated in the killing of 20 civilians in Cauca and was known for recruiting minors into armed groups.

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It is a shame that in our country we are still celebrating or rejoicing that a new criminal is killed. But this Mr. Marlon is the one who ordered the bombs that have been placed in Cali since April of last year.

Despite this success, Eder emphasized that the work is not over. He noted that other dangerous figures from Marlon's structure, including 'Yogui' and 'Pablito,' are still active. Eder expressed gratitude to the Military Forces and the Prosecutor's Office for their successful operation against Marlon.

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He was a murderer of caleños, he murdered 10 caleños, he left more than 150 caleños injured in the hospital, several seriously.

The mayor used the occasion to issue a direct appeal to Colombia's incoming president, urging them to make security a top priority. Eder highlighted that the ongoing threat from remaining criminal elements necessitates continued focus on public safety, particularly in regions like Cali and Valle del Cauca.

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Now we have to keep working because there are other people from his structure still there. Alias Yogui remains, alias Pablito remains, to mention two.