List of Famous people born in Cesar Department, Colombia

Jorge Oñate, in the town of Los Robles La Paz, near the city of Valledupar in northern Colombia, is one of the most renowned singers and composers of the vallenato musical genre. As of 2004 and since the beginning of his career in 1968 he has achieved 25 gold discs, 7 platinum discs and 6 double platinum for his sales, among other numerous musical accomplishments. He has also successfully entered politics as councilor of his hometown, while deputising for Alfredo Cuello Dávila, representing the department of Cesar.

Luis Gregorio Ramírez Maestre is a Colombian serial killer. He is accused of murdering thirty people in various municipalities and cities in Colombia, including Tenerife, Sabanalarga, Aguachica, Santa Marta, Valledupar and Puerto Wilches.

Jhon Eduis Viáfara Mina is a former Colombian footballer who played as a midfielder.

Edgardo José Maya Villazón is a Colombian lawyer, and former Inspector General of Colombia and Controller General of Colombia.

Ciro Guerra is a Colombian film director and screenwriter. He is best known for his 2015 film Embrace of the Serpent, the film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards.

Óscar Luis Muñoz Oviedo is a Colombian taekwondo practitioner who won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the -58 kg weight class. This was the fifth Olympic medal for Colombia at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the first medal in this sport. At the 2016 Olympics he was eliminated in the first bout.

Rodrigo Tovar Pupo, was born in Valledupar, Colombia. He was the leader of the Northern Bloc of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia. He demobilized with his two thousand men strong group on March 10, 2006 in La Mesa, Department of Cesar.

Hernando César Molina Araújo is a Colombian politician. Son of Hernando Molina Céspedes and Consuelo Araújo, he studied at the Colegio Nacional Loperena in Valledupar and later studied Law in the Antonio Nariño University, but dropped out. He declares himself a self-taught man. Molina was governor of the Colombian Department of Cesar for the period 2004–2007, a term which he did not complete due to his involvement in the Parapolitica scandal. he was called to testify on May 17, 2007 at the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia.

José Fernando Cuadrado Romero is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Atlético Nacional.

Simón Trinidad is the alias of Juvenal Ovidio Ricardo Palmera Pineda, a high-ranking member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and reputedly the first high-ranking member of that guerrilla group to be captured. "Simón Trinidad" is currently serving a 60-year sentence in solitary confinement in the United States at ADX Florence "Supermax" prison in Florence, Colorado.