In a letter, 80 organizations in the country warn of risks to institutions and call for unity.

One day after thousands of Colombians took to the streets to silently march for life, against violence, and in defense of democracy, more than 80 organizations across the country—including business associations, universities, think tanks, and social groups— issued an open letter calling for national unity, "after weeks marked by renewed acts of violence."

"How does Colombia feel today?" This question opens the letter, a document that emerges in a context of growing political tension and events that, according to the signatories, have raised institutional alarms. They mention the assassination of a presidential candidate, attacks on law enforcement, and the controversial presidential decree calling for a referendum, despite Congress's rejection.

Although they acknowledge a climate of fear and uncertainty, the signatories of the letter urge everyone to "not remain in the shadows." "Hope also nests in the hearts of 50 million Colombians. We witnessed this with the Silent March," they affirm.

They also point out that the country needs a common vision that renews its commitment to institutions, respect for the rules, and democratic participation.

The text explicitly calls on the branches of government to act responsibly at this time: the Council of State and the Constitutional Court are asked to act as guardians of the law; Congress is asked to build agreements without populism; the Public Force is asked to guarantee the safety of candidates and voters; and the Registry is asked to ensure free and transparent elections in 2026.

"Security has no ideology," they add in the letter, going on to call for guarantees for all political actors, regardless of their affiliation. The document concludes with a message to political and social leaders: they ask them to listen, to lead without fear, and to commit to the common good.

The letter was signed by organizations such as ANDI, Proantioquia, the National Federation of Coffee Growers, Transparency for Colombia, the Association of Food Banks, universities, and think tanks, among others.

This is the full content of the letter:

A LETTER TO THE COLOMBIANS

United for the protection of democracy and against violence. How does Colombia feel today?

We ask ourselves this question after a few weeks marked by new acts of violence: the attack on a presidential candidate¹—echoes of our darkest times—combined with several acts of violence against civilians, police officers, and military personnel, and a presidential decree calling for a referendum without complying with the constitutional rules of the game.

Although some take advantage of these moments to divide, frighten, threaten, and blackmail, we want to ask ourselves what we Colombians have in common, how we can sow hope.

First, we must acknowledge the shadows. There is a sense of uncertainty, anguish, and fear, in addition to the social challenges we still face as a nation. A feeling of helplessness, of an uncertain future. And a society without a future is a society in a kind of collective depression, abandoned to its fate.

Second, we must shed some light against this shadow. Hope also resides in the hearts of 50 million Colombians. We witnessed this with the Silent March. Regardless of political beliefs, social status, or region, Colombia needs a positive vision for the future that renews commitment and mobilizes us all.

A country's development depends on the careful cultivation of trust, and only in a context of trust can we eradicate violence, respect the environment, create jobs, offer opportunities, heal wounds, and forge new paths.

It's not by ignoring the institutional order or the rules of a democracy that we govern for everyone. Institutions that weather the storms are those that build the future; a country's shared dreams are the result of a healthy and vibrant democracy, of rules woven with the patience of decades. Social change must emerge from within institutions, never against them.

Democracy is at risk. It is at risk when it is unsafe to participate, when being a candidate is synonymous with life-threatening. It is at risk when the laws and the constitution are no longer respected, when the balance is disrupted, and the roles of the branches of public power are violated.

That's why we surround and support the institutions and their leaders so that each of them can do their part in the midst of this crisis:

• To the Council of State and the Constitutional Court to serve as an ethical beacon in protecting the Constitution and the law.

• To Congress to seek, in the face of differences, minimal agreements, responsibly and without populism.

• To the public forces to protect candidates and voters in all regions.

• To the Registry Office to act and guarantee the transparency and efficiency of the 2026 electoral process.

We need safe and free elections in 2026. Political leaders must lead by example and abide by the law. The state must provide guarantees for democratic participation; protecting the lives and safety of all Colombians is an inescapable duty. Security has no ideology.

How to turn anguish into hope?

With leaders who defend democracy, who have the courage to set limits, who listen to the diverse voices of a large and complex country, who are not afraid to lead, to receive criticism, and who assume their transcendental role in a historic moment.

They will realize that by doing the right thing, behind them, supporting them, there are millions of citizens, thousands of social, academic, business, and community organizations that are loudly repeating: more hope, more democracy!

An invitation to all Colombians to unite around the preservation of democracy. A reflection for the country to which we subscribe:

• ABACO - Association of Food Banks of Colombia

• ACM - Colombian Mining Association

• Colombian Chamber of Infrastructure

• Center for Studies in Democracy and Electoral Affairs (CEDAE)

• EIA University Think Tank

• EAFIT Public Value Center

• Citurna Productions and Imaginario Foundation

• Tolima Guild Committee

• Inter-union Committee of Antioquia

• Inter-union Committee of Bogotá

• Inter-union Committee of the Atlantic

• Inter-union Committee of Magdalena

• Inter-union and Business Committee of Valle del Cauca

• Colombian Confederation of NGOs

• National Trade Union Council

• Private Council for Competitiveness

• Human Rights Consultants

• Creative Connections Corporation

• Liberty and Democracy Corporation - CORLIDE

• ProCentrismo Corporation

• Create Educational Creations

• Businessmen for Education

• Former Institute of Open Policy

• Antioquia Federation of NGOs. FAONG

• National Federation of Coffee Growers

• National Federation of Student Representatives FENARES

• FUNCICAR - Civic Foundation

• Berta Martínez Foundation

• Ideas for Peace Foundation

• Origen Foundation Leadership Network

• Rule of Law Foundation

• Foundation for Reconciliation

• International Peace Group

• Institute of Political Science - Hernán Echavarría Olózaga

• Progressive Liberals of Colombia

• María Reina Consultants “From being to doing”

• Table of Health User Associations

• National Observatory of MSMEs

• Path & People Solutions

• Public Leadership Program Leader

• Colombian Society of Architects

• Colombian Agricultural Society SAC

• Transparency for Colombia

• Valle del Cauca Action Unit