The journalist, who died in Switzerland, asked that his remains return to his homeland.
News Colombia.
Popayán cries the departure of one of his dearest communicators. Freddy Calvache, renowned Payanés journalist, died last Friday, August 29, 2025 in Zurich, Switzerland, at 55, after a hard battle against gastric cancer in the advanced stage.
Calvache had been diagnosed in 2024 with an incurable tumor, which led him to receive palliative care in the European country, where he arrived years ago after leaving Colombia due to threats against his life. Despite his strength, the disease advanced rapidly and forced him to remain far from the land he longed for.
From the beginning of his condition, Freddy expressed his desire to return to Popayán to spend his last days with his family. However, that desire could not be fulfilled in life.
The Colombian journalist Diego GuauqueCalvache close friend, shared details of his last moments: “In its final hours he presented strong chills and was transferred to a palliative care center. There, with serenity and lucidity, he said he no longer wanted to continue with medical procedures.”
One of Guauque’s most moving testimonies was the last will of his colleague: Return, even without life, to his native Popayán. Through his daughter, Freddy made it clear that he wanted his remains to be repatriated to Colombia to rest with his.
Confirm repatriation of Fredy Calvache’s body from Zurich to Colombia
Faced with this desire, the journalist Eduardo Manzano He confirmed that Calvache’s body will be transferred from Zurich to Bogotá thanks to the support of the Avianca airline, which offered to carry out the transport through its loading operation.
“The family has confirmed that Avianca has offered to make this transport from Zurich to Bogotá”, Said Manzano. He added that, once in the capital of the country, the body will be delivered to his relatives for transfer to Popayán.
However, the family still requires support to complete the last stage of the trip. “If you belong to a company that can join this cause, please contact us or directly with the family to help you close this difficult moment”Manzano said.
For now, the process depends on the delivery of the death certificate in Switzerland. “The family is waiting for this document, which has taken a bit, but should be delivered over the week,” he added.
Meanwhile, in Popayán, relatives, colleagues and friends prepare to receive Freddy Calvache and pay him the tribute that a man who left his mark on Colombian journalism and in the memory of his homeland deserves.
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