Colombia transfers 117 high-profile inmates to maximum-security prisons

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has initiated a significant move to regain control of the nation's prisons by ordering the transfer of 117 high-profile inmates. These individuals were previously held at the Itagüí prison, which the president described as a facility where inmates continued their criminal activities with impunity.

The first phase of this operation saw 17 prisoners transferred to the Palogordo prison in Girón, Santander. President de la Espriella personally coordinated the transfers, expressing his determination to end the use of prisons as operational bases for criminal enterprises. He characterized the Itagüí facility as more akin to a "discotheque" or "event center" than a correctional institution.

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Compatriots, since early this morning I have been personally coordinating the transfer of about 117 inmates from the Itagüí prison, who continued to commit crimes at will from that penitentiary center, which is more like a discotheque, an event center.

According to an official statement from the Presidency, the directive aims to "recover control of the prisons and reinforce security conditions." The National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (Inpec) is responsible for executing the transfers. The targeted inmates are being moved to high-security penitentiaries located in eight different cities across Colombia, including Bogotá, Medellín, Girón, Valledupar, La Dorada, Palmira, Ibagué, and El Barn.

The Presidency emphasized that President de la Espriella's administration will enforce penitentiary control with authority and within constitutional limits. "Those who intend to use prisons as centers for criminal operations will be subjected to the full weight of the law," the statement declared. This initiative signals a firm stance against prison corruption and the continued operation of criminal networks from within correctional facilities.

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The government of President Abelardo de la Espriella will exercise penitentiary control with authority and within the constitutional framework. Those who intend to use prisons as centers of criminal operations will be subjected to the full weight of the law.