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103 High-Risk Prisoners Moved from Colombian Jail to Other Centers
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

103 High-Risk Prisoners Moved from Colombian Jail to Other Centers

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Colombian authorities transferred 103 high-risk inmates from the Itagüí maximum-security prison to various high-security facilities nationwide.
  • The transfers occurred on the same day as the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella, who vowed to crack down on organized crime.
  • Among those transferred are leaders of criminal organizations operating in Medellín, with the new president warning criminals to comply with the law or face state force.

Colombian authorities have transferred 103 inmates considered highly dangerous from the Itagüí maximum-security prison in the Antioquia department to various high-security penitentiaries across the country. The move was announced by regional governor Andrés Julián Rendón shortly after the inauguration of the new president, Abelardo de la Espriella.

Governor Rendón stated on X that the transferred prisoners include leaders of criminal organizations active in Medellín and its surrounding areas, such as Freyner Ramírez García, known as Carlos Pesebre; Juan Carlos Mesa, or Tom; Dayron Alberto Muñoz Torres, or El Indio; and Juan Camilo Rendón, alias El Saya.

Antioqueños, I have been informed about the transfer of 103 dangerous criminals held in the Itagüí maximum-security prison to high-security penitentiary centers in Bogotá, Palmira, Girón, Valledupar, La Dorada, El Barne, and other places in the country.

— Andrés Julián RendónThe regional governor announced the transfer of high-risk inmates.

The transfers coincide with President De la Espriella's inauguration, during which he pledged a tougher stance on security. He warned members of criminal and narcoterrorist groups that they face a choice: "submit to the rule of law or face the determined force of the Colombian state and its public forces." The president also declared that dialogue with illegal armed groups is "completely exhausted."

submit to the rule of law or face the determined force of the Colombian state and its public forces.

— Abelardo de la EspriellaThe newly inaugurated president warned criminal groups about their options.

De la Espriella further asserted that his administration will construct "mega-prisons" for those posing the greatest threat to national security, emphasizing that there will be no impunity for members of criminal organizations. "I will find them and bring them to justice with determination," he stated.

The Itagüí prison has previously been involved in controversy. Several months prior, 11 officials were removed from their posts following an incident where inmates held a party within the facility. Last year, some criminals from the same prison appeared on stage with then-President Gustavo Petro during an event promoting dialogues with illegal armed groups, drawing significant criticism.

There will be no impunity, I will find them and bring them to justice with determination.

— Abelardo de la EspriellaPresident De la Espriella vowed to pursue and prosecute members of criminal organizations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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