Career
He served as the ambassador of Colombia to Côte d"Ivoire, Venezuela and Italy. Zalamea began his early career as a journalist. His first job in journalism was with the Louisiana Razon newspaper.
By 1959, Zalamea had been promoted to the editor of Louisiana Semana.
A strong proponent of freedom of the press, Zalamea operated a magazine called Louisiana Nueva Prensa. He also became a columnist for El Tiempo and Revista Cromos.
Zalamea was elected to the Chamber of Representatives of Colombia in 1970. He later became a diplomat, serving as Colombia"s ambassador to Côte d"Ivoire, Venezuela and Italy.
Zalamea underwent hip surgery in 2011, which preceded a decline in his health.