Medellín crime: University student gets over 16 years for killing man who danced with ex-girlfriend

A judge has sentenced Yelwin Pineda Muñoz, 21, to 16 years and 8 months in prison for aggravated homicide. The conviction stems from the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old university student in Medellín's Calasanz neighborhood on April 6, 2026.

The fatal incident occurred in the early morning hours after a dispute. According to the investigation, Pineda Muñoz attacked the victim with a knife after seeing him dance with his former girlfriend. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Both the perpetrator and the victim were students from San Andrés Islas who had moved to Medellín to pursue their university studies. Pineda Muñoz was apprehended by police at the scene and later accepted responsibility for the crime during court proceedings.

Medellín faced significant security challenges in April 2026, with a total of 23 homicides recorded that month, according to the Information System for Security and Coexistence (Sisc). However, the report also noted a substantial decrease in homicides linked to interpersonal conflicts, such as fights and intolerance, compared to the previous year. This year, 46 such murders have been reported, a 39% reduction from the 76 cases during the same period in 2025.