On September 10, 2025, the Nueva Granada Military University (Bogotá) convened an academic debate on "multidimensional security, strategic vision, and impact in Colombia 2026." The session began with a presentation by Carolina Corcho; Paloma Valencia then joined the audience, including students and faculty, with thousands of people connected online.
Corcho proposed human and multidimensional security as a guiding framework, with an emphasis on protecting the lives of communities and law enforcement, and addressing structural causes such as poverty, inequality, and access to healthcare and education. He proposed redirecting the substitution of illicit crops in critical municipalities (including Catatumbo and Cañón del Micay), maintaining a comprehensive state presence, and strengthening intelligence and counterintelligence with national technological development. Regarding "total peace," he advocated rethinking it with conditions: dialogue without ceasefires that facilitate crime, and stricter red lines regarding kidnapping, recruitment of minors, and terrorist acts.
Valencia focused his remarks on the need for results for democracy and for economic and security recovery. He highlighted concerns about the fiscal deficit and the functioning of the health system, and proposed strengthening the public security forces (including the incorporation of reservists), increasing financial intelligence capacity, pursuing leaders through indictments along the chain of command, controlling chemical precursors and seizures, and using economic traceability tools (e.g., blockchain) to combat money laundering.
In social and educational matters, Corcho emphasized sustained public investment, free access to higher education, and healthcare reform with a preventive and territorial focus. Valencia advocated expanding options for families through school vouchers and promoting a growth agenda that attracts high-tech industries and strengthens energy security.
In foreign relations, Corcho emphasized cooperation with neighboring countries and the principles of sovereignty and non-interference to address transnational phenomena (drug trafficking, illegal mining, and money laundering). Valencia reiterated his rejection of undemocratic regimes in the region, offered support for Israel with attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and expressed reservations about Russian influence in Latin America.
During the question period, positions were confronted on the financing of social reforms, the role of law enforcement, and legal instruments for bringing criminal organizations to justice. In his closing remarks, Corcho insisted on measuring security in terms of safeguarding lives and maintaining state presence without violating human rights; Valencia called for a coalition of "democrats" to guarantee security as a foundation for development and to promote Colombia as an energy and technological powerhouse.