Cali Social Protests Advance Peacefully With Traffic Congestion

On October 14, 2026, anti-government demonstrations unfolded across multiple Colombian cities, including Cali, Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla, Buga, Cartago, Tuluá, and Buenaventura, as trade unions, educators, and opposition groups mobilized against the administration of President Abelardo de la Espriella. The demonstrations across Colombia advanced in strategic points of Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla, Cali, and other cities following the call made by the Colombian Federation of Workers in Education (Fecode), the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT), and social organizations.

Early Morning Calm Precedes Cali Marches

Before the demonstrations began, the local administration reported that Cali awoke in total normalcy at 7:30 a.m. on October 14, 2026, with traffic moving fluidly through northern entry points like Sameco and Menga and the western Portada al Mar, according to El País. As scheduled, the first citizens taking part in the mobilization against the National Government arrived at the Plazoleta Jairo Varela at around 9:00 in the morning.

Union Demands and Regional Security Deployment

Protesting sectors, including the National Training Service union Sindesena, highlighted the elimination of public utility subsidies for socio-economic strata 1, 2, and 3 as a key driver for the mobilization. Está quitando el subsidio a los estratos 1, 2 y 3, stated representatives from Sindesena, as quoted by El País, explaining their participation alongside the Colombian Federation of Workers in Education and the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores. Across the wider Valle del Cauca department, Dilian Francisca Toro reported that approximately 1,800 police and military personnel monitored demonstrations in Cali and surrounding municipalities. Starting at 10:00 in the morning, thousands of citizens gathered in locations such as the National Park in the capital and the San Antonio square in the Antioquian capital to march peacefully in rejection of the decisions of the government led by President Abelardo de la Espriella.

National Disruption and Divergent Reporting

While local officials in Cali reported a peaceful atmosphere with no major public order disturbances by midday, national coverage from Cablenoticias noted simultaneous protests in cities like Bogotá, where marchers headed toward the Plaza de Bolívar caused disruptions to transit and the TransMilenio system. Manifestants in Cali also began their march from the Plazoleta Jairo Varela with chants and instruments, accompanied by authorities and the presence of various worker sector unions. The Secretaría de Movilidad of Cali reported that no public order alteration incidents were recorded on Calle 13 near the Universidad del Valle after the demonstrations began in the city.

Traffic Restoration and Ongoing Monitoring

Following the passage of demonstrators through key corridors, the Secretaría de Movilidad of Cali announced the reopening of Avenida 2N, the CAM, the toboggan, and Calle 9N. Authorities continued monitoring transit and security conditions from the departmental and local PMUs as marchers completed their routes toward the Parque de las Banderas.