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Cali’s cocaine boom fuels record killings and shakes Colombia’s election

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First reported by N12 · Jun 18, 2026

What happened

Cali, Colombia is suffering a major cocaine-fueled violence surge, with more than 1,100 murders in the past year. The crisis is straining police, reshaping the upcoming presidential race, and boosting conservative candidate Abelardo de la Espriella. City authorities are combining raids with social programs, but say the cartels remain ahead.

01Cali recorded more than 1,100 murders in the last year amid escalating cartel violence.
02A coca boom cut cocaine prices and turned the city into a trafficking hub.
03Police are raiding gangs, but cartels are using drones and heavier weapons.
04The unrest is helping pro-Israel conservative Abelardo de la Espriella in the presidential race.
05City officials are pairing enforcement with prevention, training and infrastructure spending.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

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