Objective. To characterize suicides in relation to sex between the years 2018 to 2021 in three departments of Colombia (Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nariño), comparing the periods defined as pre-pandemic and pandemic. Methods. Cross-sectional, observational and retrospective descriptive research, elaborated from primary source data delivered by the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (INMLYCF) - Southwest Sectional. Results. A total of 1506 suicides were recorded during the four years studied in the departments of Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nariño, with more cases occurring in adult males with 58.0% (n=874), with 48.3% (n=728) residing in Valle del Cauca, using hanging as the main cause 52.0% (n=783), with conflict with a partner or ex-partner being the most prevalent reason with 19.7% (n=131). On the other hand, for the female sex, being an adult 12.4% (n=186), resident in Valle del Cauca 10.4% (n=157), also using hanging as the main cause with 12.4% (n=187), being conflict with partner or ex-partner the most prevalent reason with 6.6% (n=44). Conclusions. Suicide profiles were identified according to sex, with the vulnerable group being men in adulthood and adolescence, with a higher prevalence in Valle del Cauca.