Real Talk About Safety in Medellín: Facts and Myths
Let’s talk about the issues the city is facing, without downplaying or exaggerating things:
First, Medellín is seeing an unprecedented influx of tourists right now.
People from all over the world are visiting, not just westerners.
The demographics have also changed; the types of tourists arriving in Medellín are now more varied, including families, seniors, couples, and wealthier tourists.
If anyone says that “only degenerates go to Medellín because there’s only hookers and blow there” that person is most likely a consumer and quite frankly ignorant. Still, the city remains an alluring place for these types of people.
You don’t need an "extensive list" of tips to be safe if your purpose is regular tourism. People who need extensive lists of safety tips know they’re engaging in risky activities.
The argument that Medellín is unsafe just because buying drugs and exploiting locals is risky is one of the silliest claims often made about the city.
Some statistics and facts:
1.8 million tourists visited Medellín in 2023.
There were 118 deaths of foreigners, including accidents, overdoses, suicides, and violent deaths.
45 violent deaths of foreigners in 2023 out of 1.8 million is a murder rate of 2.4 per 100,000.
This is 5.8 times lower than Medellín’s overall murder rate of 14 per 100,000.
Your chances of meeting an untimely demise in Medellín are 0.000025%.
Crime against foreigners has increased as the total number of visitors rises. However, this number should ideally be zero.
Anyone who claims that Medellín is less safe for tourists than for locals is not looking at the data.
Regular tourists rarely have issues. Yes, you can still be robbed here, like in any other city in the world. Let’s not pretend that crime only exists in Colombia.
Scopolamine
There were around 300 reported cases of scopolamine in 2023.
This is currently the most pressing issue. Both locals and foreigners are being targeted, but crimes against foreigners get more visibility.
Violent crime has decreased in the last couple of years, but scopolamine robberies are still on the rise.
Currently, Tinder, as well as dating unvetted women, is not safe.
Scopolamine cases follow the exact same M.O most of the time: Tinder date > bring girl(s) home > get drugged.
Recently, a few foreigners have died in the city, with one case involving drugging.
Social media suggested all these deaths were due to serious crimes, which isn't accurate for the others.
It raises an important question: Why is there an increase in foreigner deaths lately? This is something we can't overlook.
There's no need to cause panic. We should look at the situation realistically and avoid blowing things out of proportion.
Crime in Medellín
Both foreign and local criminal organizations are operating in the city.
According to the mayor, many sex workers in Parque Lleras and individuals involved in scopolamine crimes are Venezuelan migrants. The criminal groups that hire them often work with or have control over local gangs.
This statement isn't about blaming Venezuelans unfairly, as locals are responsible for most crimes. However, it's important to acknowledge the role of the Venezuelan element.
What is being done right now?
Four different criminal organizations that had control over areas like Parque Lleras, La 70, and Parque del Poblado are being investigated and dismantled.
Many commercial venues and hotels in high-traffic areas have been closed for facilitating crime.
Roving patrols of police SUVs, including teams of female officers, are active in areas like Provenza, Manila, La 70, and La 33, aiming to disrupt "red-light areas" by deterring sex workers and their clients.
An integral plan is being drafted to offer working girls a way out of prostitution. Many do it because they don’t have other options.
An after-dark underage curfew has been imposed in major nightlife areas to protect minors.
Foreigners that exploit children will be prosecuted and jailed in Colombia, not just deported.
Dozens of Colombians and foreigners have been arrested recently on human trafficking and child exploitation stings coordinated with Western governments.
Police presence has increased tenfold, not just in El Poblado.
My opinion
While it's a challenging time for the city, and the criticism is often deserved, the situation is not as dire as some suggest.
Us locals are not glad about this situation; we want a safe city to live in. You know?
We also think that tourists should feel safe here.
What we're seeing in Medellín is because of four years of crime-friendly policies and looking away.
Now, even with strict measures that are starting to work, you can't solve such a big problem in one day.