By Ivy L. Alarcón 
A new day, a new case of child sexual abuse in Medellin. A Colombian-Australian man was found with a minor in an apartment in Poblado. The subject contacted the minor through Facebook and got him to go to his home. The Attorney General’s Office announced that the captured man was already left at the disposal of the entity and will face the corresponding process.
When questioned how the child was able to get to the apartment the mayor stated “He wanted to pass the minor off as a relative.” In an interview with El Tiempo the mayor confirmed that the man was captured thanks to a call from a security guard of the building. Who noticed the strange situation and promptly reported it to the authorities. On the other hand, the identity of the captured man has not yet been made public.
Faced with this critical situation, Mayor Federico Gutiérrez established certain measures yesterday, April 1st. The decree issued indicates that for six months the demand or solicitation of sexual services and related activities will be suspended in public spaces, in Lleras Park, Provenza, 10th Street and El Poblado Park. In a press conference Gutiérrez stated that these places were selected due to the presence of a human trafficking network by criminal structures such as La Terraza, La Raya and Robledo.
In addition, it is planned to adopt a pilot plan to limit the hours of operation of establishments selling and consuming liquor in Lleras Park. It is planned to operate until 1:00 a.m. at the latest.
“The purpose is to control and prevent the behaviors of those who sexually exploit people in the exercise of prostitution, demand or request sexual services and who lend themselves to or tolerate these acts.”
MAYOR’S OFFICE OF MEDELLÍN