Samuel Adrián arrested in Colombia over documentary controversy

Mexican content creator and documentarian Samuel Adrián was arrested at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá on September 13, 2026. The detention follows a judicial order for contempt of court (desacato) issued by a court in Cali.

The legal action stems from Adrián’s refusal to remove his documentary, ‘Colombia: fábrica de niños trans’, from YouTube. The film questions medical protocols regarding gender transition in minors. The order for removal was part of a ‘tutela’ (a legal mechanism to protect fundamental rights) filed by specialist physician Mario Angulo, who alleged that the documentary’s use of undercover footage violated his rights to honor and privacy.

As part of the administrative sanction, Adrián faces 10 days of arrest and a fine equivalent to 15 monthly minimum wages in Colombia. The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the Mexican national, noting he is in good health.

The incident has sparked significant debate regarding freedom of expression and the regulation of medical procedures for minors. Colombian political figure Abelardo De La Espriella has called for national legislation to establish limits on such medical procedures.