Medellín authorities continue tightening controls against child sexual exploitation. On August 14, a U.S. citizen was refused entry at José María Córdova International Airport after Colombian immigration officials detected that he had prior convictions for sexual offenses involving minors.
He was intercepted while attempting to complete his immigration procedures and immediately handed over to the National Police.
According to Migración Colombia, 75 foreigners have already been denied entry in 2025. Of those, 24 were turned away during August alone — coinciding with the Feria de las Flores.
In the week preceding the festival, four other foreigners (three Americans and one Chilean) were denied entry under the “Task Force” strategy coordinated by Interpol, Medellín’s city government, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the National Police. The Chilean citizen will be repatriated to face charges related to child sexual abuse.
A key mechanism in the crackdown is the “Angel Watch” database shared by U.S. Homeland Security, which alerts Colombian authorities when individuals convicted of child sex crimes attempt to travel. Medellín has also created its own list of offenders to support immigration screening.
Mayor Federico Gutiérrez emphasized that the city “will not tolerate any crime that puts children and adolescents at risk.”
Colombian authorities warn that if returning offenders are found with any evidence of having committed crimes in Colombia, they can be arrested immediately upon arrival in their home countries.
