Edit Document

Data is Null. This method or property cannot be called on Null values.

ID #

Type

Title

Created By

Created At

Author(s)

Keywords

Subject

Document

Historical origins of Cali

Santiago de Cali is one of the oldest cities in Colombia and the American continent. Its foundation dates back to the year 1536 at the hands of the conqueror Sebastián de Belalcázar, just three years after the founding of Cartagena de Indias (1533), two years before the founding of Santa Fe de Bogotá (1538), eleven years after Santa Marta ( 1525) and 26 years after the founding of the first Hispanic population on the continent: Santa María la Antigua del Darién (1510), which has disappeared.

Decree 916 of August 31, 1908, which regulates Law 1 of August 5 of the same year, divides the national territory into 46 departments, among which Cali, Buga and Cartago were counted as such.

Subsequently, Law 65 of December 14, 1909 was issued, which ordered that from April 1, 1910, the previous territorial division be reestablished. By virtue of this law, the Valley once again belonged to the old Sovereign State of Cauca, or Cauca Grande, but the Valle del Cauca residents in Bogotá immediately began efforts to create the new department.

When the number of inhabitants of Valle del Cauca was verified and that its section met the requirements required by the constitution of the time to be a Department and when the national government realized the need for its creation, the Department of Valle del Cauca was organized.

So, by Decree No.340, of April 16, 1910, the Colombian territory was divided into 13 departments. The old departments of Cartago, Buga and Santiago de Cali were united to form one, with the name of Department of Valle del Cauca and in the same Decree Santiago de Cali was designated as capital.

Santiago de Cali emerged with relative success, forming the new community, the institutions, the norms and of course, the city that gradually began, with the development of factors such as the drying up of the swamps and the control and use of water, the improvement of intra- and inter-regional roads, the opening of the railway and the road to the sea.

In 1913 the first automobile arrived, in 1916 the first locomotive; the construction of the Buenaventura port facilities and the opening of the Panama Canal, the modernization of roads to the rest of the country, the expansion and improvement of public services and the construction of economic and social infrastructure; Electric light was approved for Cali in 1907, the following year a soccer match was played for the first time. In 1921 the first plane landed

A memorable event for 20th Century Cali was the celebration of the VI Pan American Games in 1971. The preparation of this sporting event brought development and beautification of public space. Much of the city's sports infrastructure dates back to this era.

Its history of growth and strength requires the collaboration of everyone to continue its tradition of peace, progress and work, the only resources that allow life to be pleasant and thus achieve the development of all desires with a system of democratic government that allows overcoming poverty and underdevelopment.

Santiago de Cali, as heir to an ancestral history of great challenges, with a strategic geopolitical position, with large pending development and infrastructure projects and with the legitimacy of Colombian optimism, opens to the new 21st century with great perspectives.

From the Municipal Administrative Center (CAM), located on Avenida 2ª Norte and Carrera 1ª, made up of two modern construction towers where the different municipal agencies are located, such as: Secretariats, Administrative Departments, the Council of Santiago de Cali, the Public Companies of Cali, among others.

The construction of the CAM began in 1965 and was completed in 1972. The firms of Ingenieros Esguerra Sáenz and Urdaneta Samper participated. It was the first institution at the national level that had a modern, functional building, which marked the beginning of the urban development of the town. The Pichincha Battalion operated at the site.

A memorable event for 20th Century Cali was the celebration of the VI Pan American Games in 1971. The preparation of this sporting event brought development and beautification of public space. Much of the city's sports infrastructure dates back to this era.

Its history of growth and strength requires the collaboration of everyone to continue its tradition of peace, progress and work, the only resources that allow life to be pleasant and thus achieve the development of all desires with a system of democratic government that allows overcoming poverty and underdevelopment.

Santiago de Cali, as heir to an ancestral history of great challenges, with a strategic geopolitical position, with large pending development and infrastructure projects and with the legitimacy of Colombian optimism, opens to the new 21st century with great perspectives.

From the Municipal Administrative Center (CAM), located on Avenida 2ª Norte and Carrera 1ª, made up of two modern construction towers where the different municipal agencies are located, such as: Secretariats, Administrative Departments, the Council of Santiago de Cali, the Public Companies of Cali, among others.

The construction of the CAM began in 1965 and was completed in 1972. The firms of Ingenieros Esguerra Sáenz and Urdaneta Samper participated. It was the first institution at the national level that had a modern, functional building, which marked the beginning of the urban development of the town. The Pichincha Battalion operated at the site.


Main economic activity in Cali

In the capital of Valle del Cauca, the sugar, rubber, chemical, furniture manufacturing, paper and milling industries stand out.
Valle del Cauca has a powerful production force supported by various industries that position the region's economy at the national level. Cali, its capital, attracts the attention of investors around the world due to its large number of markets and its high connectivity.
With a notable participation in the Colombian GDP of 8.1% - according to Dane figures - Cali is emerging as a city for investment. The city is a leader in industries such as rubber, chemicals, furniture manufacturing, paper and milling.
In addition, it participates with 10.5% of the country's industrial added value.
142 kilometers away is Buenaventura, the main port of the Colombian Pacific, which directly connects Colombia with markets throughout the continent. The port is 20 hours away from the Panama Canal, being a key point towards the Atlantic.
Additionally, the area between Cali and the municipality of Yumbo—part of the metropolitan area—there are more than 2,000 productive factories.
For its part, Valle del Cauca has a high production chain driven by sectors such as sugar cane, metalworking, logistics, software, leather, fruit and vegetables, specialty coffees, forestry, paper and cardboard, fishing, meat, clothing, tourism and health. . These industries supply nearly 148 countries.
In manufacturing, it has eight highly productive sectors at the national level, such as food, wood, paper and printing, chemicals, non-metallic minerals, basic metals and machinery.
Sugar, a prominent product in the region, contributes 10% of the country's agroindustrial exports. The emerging sectors with the highest rate of development are aeronautics, outsourcing, biotechnology, automotive, agroindustrial and logistics.
Meanwhile, the region has the presence of 70 multinational companies and its geographical location is enhanced by five airports (Buenaventura, Cartago, Juanchaco, Palmira and Tuluá) and four free zones located throughout the entire department.

Cocaine trade in Cali 

The cocaine trade in Cali remains a significant and high-impact criminal activity. Authorities have intensified their efforts to combat this problem, resulting in a notable increase in seizures. Between January and April 2024, 237 tons of cocaine were seized, compared to 167.5 tons in the same period of 2023. In addition, 1,468 illicit drug production infrastructures were destroyed in the country during the first months of the year. 

In Cali, security forces have dismantled drug laboratories in central areas, including one that produced fentanyl and other synthetic substances. These laboratories supply nightclubs and bars, taking advantage of the large concentration of young people and tourists in the area.

Police have made significant arrests, including the capture of individuals at the airport with large quantities of cocaine 
Authorities continue to work to reduce micro-trafficking and associated violence, implementing intensive patrols and strengthening police presence in key areas.


Organized crime in Cali

To the most recent date, the Cali Criminal Organization remains a relevant topic in the history of drug trafficking, although its influence has decreased significantly since its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s. Here is an updated and complete report on the Criminal Organization From Cali:

History and Training
- Founders: Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela and Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela, along with other key members of the Rodríguez family and associates.
- Origins: It emerged in the city of Cali, Colombia, as an extension of drug trafficking activity in the country.
- Evolution: Initially a small group, the cartel grew in power and reach, becoming one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in Colombia.

Operations and Structure
- *Operational Model:* The Cali Cartel adopted a more discreet and businesslike approach compared to the Medellín Cartel. They focused on corruption and infiltration of state and private institutions to protect and expand their operations.
- Distribution Network: They controlled a large part of cocaine trafficking to the United States and Europe, using sophisticated routes and global distribution networks.

Conflicts and Rivalries
- Rivalry with the Medellín Cartel: They had a violent rivalry with the Medellín Cartel, led by Pablo Escobar. This conflict resulted in a brutal war between the two cartels.
- Internal Conflict: They also faced internal conflicts and betrayals within their own ranks, which affected their stability and operations.

Dismantling
- Capture of Leaders:* In 1995, Colombian authorities, in collaboration with international agencies, managed to capture the leaders of the Cali Cartel. Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela was arrested in 1995, and Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela was captured in 1995.
- Security Operations: Intense military and police operations were carried out that led to the capture of key members of the cartel and the seizure of their assets.

Actual state
- *Legacy:* Although the cartel was dismantled, its legacy lives on in the impact it had on Colombian politics, the economy and society. Corruption and violence associated with drug trafficking remain persistent problems.
- *New Organizations:* The fall of the Cali Cartel paved the way for the emergence of new drug trafficking organizations in Colombia and other parts of Latin America.

International Implications
- International Cooperation: The fight against the Cali Cartel exemplifies international cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, with the participation of agencies from the United States, Colombia and other countries.
- Drug Policies: The Cali Cartel case has influenced international policies on drug trafficking and the war on drugs.

Notes

Draft

Status

Country

City

Placename

Cancel