Living Under Threat: Potrerito's Drama Amidst Illegal Land Occupations

In the rural community of Potrerito, Jamundí, a palpable sense of unease has settled over residents as illegal land invasions escalate. These incursions target properties managed by the Special Assets Society (SAE), a situation authorities in Valle del Cauca describe as increasingly systematic.

The growing insecurity has prompted community members to demand greater protection from local and regional governments. In response, the Valle del Cauca Governorate initiated a high-level working session involving key institutional stakeholders. Participants included representatives from the departmental Secretariat of Coexistence and Citizen Security, the Mayor's Office of Jamundí, senior officers from the Metropolitan Police of Cali, and residents from local condominiums and residential complexes.

The primary objective of this meeting was to assess the full impact of the invasions and to collaboratively design joint operational strategies. Guillermo Londoño, the departmental Secretary of Coexistence and Citizen Security, stated that immediate actions will be taken with the Public Force to deploy necessary institutional capabilities. These measures aim to mitigate identified risks and prevent more severe public order disturbances in the corregimiento.

To formalize the community's demands, Governor Dilian Francisca Toro pledged to intervene with the SAE to prioritize the resolution of the land issue. She also advised community leaders to draft a formal petition, assuring them of her commitment to champion the cause with the national entity and to advocate for enhanced perimeter surveillance of the affected properties. Ervin Ávila, president of the Chipaya Community Action Board, expressed gratitude for the departmental administration's support, highlighting the need for integrated local development policies and voicing residents' concerns about the influx of unidentified and uncharacterized transient populations in the area.