On Thursday, August 28, in Antioquia, Asocolflores successfully held the Encuentro de Fortalecimiento de Estrategias de Seguridad para el sector floricultor (Meeting to Strengthen Security Strategies for the Floriculture Sector). The strategic event brought together affiliated companies and institutional representatives from the Mayor's Office of La Ceja, Gaula, Anti-Narcotics Police, Airport Police, Carabineros, National Police, Support Network, and Community Police.
In Eastern Antioquia, where floriculture accounts for 24% of Colombia's national exports by volume, covering more than 2,800 hectares and generating 34,600 direct jobs—strategic actions are being implemented to strengthen the region's export capacity. These initiatives, focused on anticipating risks, coordinating efforts, and ensuring safe environments, enable flower farms to operate with confidence, generate formal employment, and support rural development. This reinforces the region's central role in the sustainable growth of both the sector and the country.
© Asocolflores
Beyond technical aspects, the meeting served as a public–private coordination platform. Affiliated companies, aiming to safeguard their products and the export chain, engaged with law enforcement agencies, which shared tools, strategies, and updates on security issues. The exercise highlighted that cooperation between the two sides is essential to guarantee traceability, regulatory compliance, and stronger protocols, while also confirming that the floriculture sector acknowledges the importance of working hand in hand with these institutions to ensure safe and sustainable development.
Lieutenant Colonel Anyelo Giovanni Vivas Ávila, commander of the Rionegro Police District, emphasized: "This meeting allowed us to strengthen joint work between the National Police and Asocolflores, implementing strategies to create secure environments, integrate support networks, and provide training across the export chain. Through these commitments, we are advancing a work plan that responds to the needs of the floriculture sector and the region."
As an outcome of the meeting, a joint work schedule was agreed upon with the security forces and affiliated companies. This will include on-site support, awareness initiatives, and training in matters of security and coexistence. Such alliances, participants stressed, are vital to maintaining a safe, stable, and competitive work environment.
Within this framework, Asocolflores reaffirms its role as a strategic bridge between the floriculture sector and institutions, fostering trust, knowledge-sharing, and joint action. Initiatives like this reflect the association's leadership in building a shared security culture, aligned with international standards.
Source: asocolflores.org
