Cali without gunpowder: the ‘special squad’ arrives/Min30

The mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder, launched a direct message for this holiday season, insisting that the irresponsible handling of pyrotechnic items continues to leave serious burns, poisoning, eye injuries and even mutilations every year.

This year, Cali authorities aim to leave behind the ‘Heaven’s Branch for these incidents and become the ‘Christmas Branch’with safe celebrations and without victims.

To achieve this, the mayor’s office issued a decree that suspends the issuance of permits for the sale and marketing of gunpowder, in addition to prohibiting its sale in public spaces.

The measure includes strict restrictions on the carrying, transportation, use and handling by minors and adults in a state of intoxication. The manufacturing and marketing of products with white phosphorus, such as totes, diablitos, martinicas and triquitraques, is also completely prohibited.

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The Secretary of Security and Justice, Jairo García, recalled that any event that requires fireworks must have special permission. The Metropolitan Police also reinforced operations with the arrival of 170 uniformed officers who make up the new Anti-Powder Squad, in charge of monitoring commercial areas and preventing accidents.