Medellín, Colombia – once known as the “City of Eternal Spring” – has been marred by a new and unsettling reality. What was once a bustling commercial center has transformed into a living nightmare, with a group of drug addicts taking over and creating their own chaotic and dangerous micro-community. This area, known as “The Bronx”, has become a symbol of Colombia’s ongoing drug epidemic and a desperate cry for help from its streets.
This phenomenon started five years ago, when a group of addicts took control of a block in the center of Medellín and began using and selling bazuco – a highly addictive and destructive drug. As their numbers grew, the area became a haven for drug addicts, who financed their addiction through theft and other criminal activities. The so-called “Bronx” quickly gained infamy, drawing comparisons to its namesake in New York City.
At the heart of this new Bronx is a criminal organization that controls the drug market with an iron fist. Their reign of terror includes strict, unwritten rules enforced through violence and vigilante justice. The consequences are devastating, as residents are subjected to constant fear and businesses are forced to shut down.
Families and community organizations have made efforts to rescue these individuals from the grips of addiction and the false sense of security offered by the streets. However, their efforts have been met with limited success. The Administrative Court of Antioquia has called on various institutions to take action, but it is clear that more needs to be done to truly address the root of the problem.
The local administration has faced criticism for not taking enough action to address this crisis. Despite a court ruling calling for the implementation of an “integral focused plan” to tackle the issue, it was found that responsible entities had not complied. The Mayor’s Office of Medellín, the National Police, the ICBF, Empresas Varias de Medellín, and the Attorney General’s Office have been summoned to take action and provide support to the most vulnerable individuals in the area.
The resurgence of the Medellín Bronx is not just a problem for Colombia, but a global issue that demands attention and action. It is a stark reminder of the ongoing drug epidemic and the devastating consequences it brings. The consequences of inaction are too dire to ignore, and it is time for the international community to come together and provide necessary support and resources to help these individuals overcome their addiction and find a way out of this living nightmare.
With information from El País