By Natalia Rueda 
Medellín, Colombia – Colombian authorities are grappling with a disturbing increase in cases involving foreigners, particularly from the United States, seeking to exploit minors in the country. In 2024 alone, at least 12 people have been arrested for child sexual exploitation offenses, highlighting the troubling intersection of international travel and criminal behavior.
Colombia and the United States have joined forces in the fight against child sex crimes. Recently, thanks to the collaboration between the two countries, the detection and immediate return of a U.S. citizen convicted of this type of crime was achieved. Guillermo Garcia, 47, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was intercepted by immigration authorities in Colombia on November 18, 2024. The man had been flagged in the U.S. Angel Watch database, which warns about the presence of convicted sex offenders attempting to travel abroad. Garcia had planned to visit Medellin, but thanks to efficient cooperation between the two countries, he was detected and returned to the United States, thus avoiding a possible danger to the city’s minors.
#Medellín | Oficiales de @MigracionCol inadmitieron a un ciudadano extranjero que pretendía ingresar al país, procedente de Fort Lauderdale, por presentar en los sistemas una alerta “Angel Watch” como posible agresor sexual de niños, niñas y adolescentes. pic.twitter.com/IjqaBBac1l
— Migración Colombia (@MigracionCol) November 18, 2024
The “Angel Watch” Database: A Critical Tool in Combatting Child Exploitation
“Angel Watch” is a U.S. government program designed to track individuals convicted of crimes against minors. The database is used by immigration authorities across the world to prevent known offenders from entering countries where they could potentially harm children. Colombia, a popular tourist destination, has become a focal point in the fight against child exploitation, with increasing attention from both local and international authorities.
One of the most prominent cases involves Timothy Alan Livingston, a 36-year-old U.S. citizen, who was arrested in a luxury hotel in Medellin and managed to escape from the authorities to return to his country, his whereabouts are currently unknown.
High-Profile Sentences and Increasing Vigilance
One of the most notable convictions in recent months was that of Thomas Michael Renno, a 72-year-old U.S. citizen from California, who was sentenced to 30 years and six months in prison for child exploitation. Renno, who had entered Colombia several times between 2017 and 2018, contacted underage girls on Facebook, offering them money or cell phones in exchange for meetings. Authorities identified at least five victims between the ages of 13 and 17. Renno, who used several fake online identities, was arrested after a years-long investigation led by U.S. and Colombian authorities.
A Wake-Up Call for the Tourism Industry
The growing number of foreign nationals arrested for crimes against minors has sparked debate over the role of Colombia’s tourism industry in preventing such incidents. Medellín, once known primarily for its association with drug cartels, has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, becoming a hub for digital nomads, international tourists, and retirees. However, the surge in child exploitation cases has cast a shadow over the city’s reputation as a tourist destination.
In response, both the Colombian government and private sector stakeholders, including hotels and travel agencies, are working to strengthen child protection measures. This includes enhancing awareness campaigns, implementing more stringent identity checks for foreign tourists, and cooperating more closely with international law enforcement agencies.
With information from El País