The journalist says that, after refusing to return to Colombia for security, the channel canceled his contract and left him without support.
News Colombia.
Freddy Calvache, renowned journalist from the department of Cauca, faces one of the most difficult moments of his life. After years covering the armed conflict and social tensions in this region for Caracol Televisión, he received threats that forced him to leave the country and request political asylum in Switzerland. His departure was not voluntary: he describes it as a life or death decision.
In the midst of its exile process, Calvache proposed to the company remotely from Swiss territory, but the response was negative. According to his testimony, Caracol demanded to return to Colombia, something he considered impossible for the risk of his life. In March 2022 or 2023 – the journalist does not need the exact date – his contract was canceled. “Since then, I have practically not received messages of support,” he says.
The situation worsened in June 2024, when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Despite contacting Caracol administrative staff to request support, he says he did not get help. Its subsistence has depended solely on the humanitarian assistance that the Swiss government offers to asylum applicants, with which it covers basic needs and medical care.
Calvache arrived in Switzerland with one of his children and, after two years and four months, in April of this year, political asylum was granted. This would allow him to work and study legally, but his delicate state of health has prevented him from taking advantage of these opportunities. “There is not much to do; doctors have practically evicted me,” he laments.
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