Colombian officials coordinate efforts against child exploitation and urban crime

Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to meet with officials from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The primary objective is to strengthen cooperation in the fight against child sexual exploitation, with a specific focus on addressing cybercrimes facilitated through social media and video games.

Gutiérrez reported that collaboration with HSI has already led to significant judicial progress, including the arrest of foreign nationals and two life sentences handed down in the United States for crimes committed against Colombian minors. The Mayor noted that arrests of foreigners linked to these crimes have increased by 1,100% during his administration.

In a separate security development in Barranquilla, Mayor Alejandro Char met with Justice Minister Iván Cancino and Inpec Director Daniel Gutiérrez to address rising violence, including extortion and contract killings. The officials pledged a zero-tolerance policy toward extortion organized from prisons and announced plans to establish a local Police Sub-directorate to enhance urban security.