During the five months of 2024, Colombia’s second-largest city, Medellín, has seen the deaths of 26 foreigners, with cases ranging from suicides, drug overdoses, medical complications, homicide, and natural causes. Two cases are being investigated, pending forensic analysis to determine the exact causes of death.
On Sunday, May 19, the Metropolitan Police of the Aburrá Valley confirmed the deaths of two foreigners. In the first case, 60-year-old Josep Vyshinski was found dead in a hotel room in the Boston neighborhood. There were no signs of violence, suggesting a possible natural death. A second incident involving a 63-year-old retired American, has also been confirmed as a natural death.
The deaths of two foreigners that are not related to any criminal offense or foul play occured during the same week Medellín continued to tighten its grip on sex tourism and the exploitation of minors.
Authorities in the departmental capital of Antioquia have arrested so far this year 90 foreigners for crimes relating to sexual and commercial exploitation of children and adolescents. Mayor Federico Gutiérrez highlighted these efforts on his X account over the weekend, stating: “The war against the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is already yielding its first results. Many have been captured, and more are coming.”
Recent developments include the expulsion of foreigners based on records of sexual abuse. The individuals who had intended to enter Medellín were intercepted and expelled as part of ongoing efforts to combat sex tourism and the exploitation of minors.
Australian citizen Charlie Hardy was expelled from Santa Marta on May 16 by Migración Colombia for allegedly violating restrictions related to sexual exploitation. The expulsion order was issued by the Mayoralty of Medellín and enforced by the country’s migration authority. In a statement on X, the entity justified the expulsion order, highlighting that Hardy “showed a notice in our systems issued by Medellín for violating restrictive norms related to #SexualExploitation.” During an inspection of Hardy’s luggage, psychoactive substances were found and subsequently destroyed.
In 2023, Migración Colombia denied entry to 5,559 foreigners for various reasons, and the airports where most expulsion occurred were Cartagena, Bogotá and Medellín.
In addition to these arrests, Migration Colombia denied entry over the weekend to two U.S. nationals at José María Córdova Airport in Rionegro. The denials were part of a joint effort with the U.S. government using the Angel Watch alert system, which tracks suspected pedophiles. The individuals, suspected of committing sexual assaults on minors, were processed and expelled from the country. Both suspects had boarded flights in the United States. Mayor Gutiérrez praised the preventive measures, stating, “In Medellín, all those who come for responsible tourism are welcome, but not those who come to sexually exploit our boys, girls, adolescents, and women.”
As Medellín continues to grapple with issues related to foreign nationals, both as victims and potential perpetrators, the Aburrá police are intensifying efforts to safeguard residents and visitors alike. The recent deaths of foreigners, coupled with the ongoing battle against sex tourism, highlight the challenges faced by Medellín as it strives to maintain safety and order. “Thanks to the coordinated and efficient work we have been carrying out, and on this occasion as a result of the alert issued by the United States government through the #AngelWatch list, which includes possible predators or sexual abusers, Migración Colombia was able to deny entry and return the U.S citizen to his country,” stated Mayor Gutiérrez.
