Crisis within the Colombian police force.
On April 11, former police Captain Anyelo Palacios was fired following claims that during his time as a cadet, he fell victim to a prostitution ring run by a former national police chief, General Rodolfo Palomino. Those allegations saw Palomino resign on February 17. These are the latest developments in a series of scandals that have damaged the reputation of the Colombia National Police (PNC) and exacerbated infighting, threatening to undermine the force's capacity to deal with security threats at a key time ahead of peace agreements with the guerrillas.
Any radical initiatives to reform the PNC or address properly the main issues at hand are unlikely.
While the PNC will probably introduce anti-corruption measures, corruption will continue, particularly outside urban centres.
The PNC's efforts to dismantle criminal organisations will be widely publicised to regain public confidence.
However, low morale may harm the PNC's efficacy and scandals could affect applicant numbers.
