COLOMBIA · SECURITY
Published Wednesday, 28 October, 5:16 p.m. ET · Source: Medellín Mayor’s Office, Colombian National Police, Migración Colombia
Key Facts
- —Arrests Medellin's municipal government reported 97 arrests: 49 in flagrante delicto and 48 under judicial warrants.
- —Deportations Migración Colombia deported 98 Venezuelan nationals; 11 reportedly had active arrest warrants in Venezuela.
- —Timing The operation ran from the night of Monday, October 26, into the early hours of Tuesday, October 27, 2026, lasting more than 12 hours.
- —Scale More than 1,400 police officers were deployed across 11 Medellin neighborhoods in 102 search-and-seizure operations.
Operation Scope
A coordinated security offensive began on the night of Monday, October 26, and continued into the early hours of Tuesday, October 27, lasting more than 12 hours. The operation involved the Medellín mayor's office, the national government, the Antioquia governor's office, and the security forces.
The municipal final balance reported 97 arrests, including 49 in flagrante delicto and 48 under judicial warrants. Authorities also conducted 102 search-and-seizure operations across 11 Medellín neighborhoods with more than 1,400 police officers deployed.
The operation covered 13 investigations targeting criminal organizations accused of homicide, robbery, extortion, and drug trafficking. Municipal authorities reported seizing six firearms and 100 electronic detonators during the raids.
Criminal Structures Targeted
Authorities highlighted an operation against La Roja, a group allegedly involved in stealing high-end watches, jewelry, and other valuables. Eight people were reportedly arrested in that investigation, and authorities seized gold, cash, a firearm, and several motorcycles.
Investigators were examining 12 cases in which the stolen property was reportedly worth more than 1 billion Colombian pesos (about US$318,000). The group allegedly identified potential victims in tourist areas including Provenza and Pueblito Paisa, as well as near airports.
In the San Cristóbal corregimiento, authorities reported the death of alias "Primo Sangre," described by officials as the alleged head of the armed commission of Front 36 of the FARC dissidents. Three other people were reportedly arrested in flagrante delicto in that operation.
Official Response
Mayor Federico Gutiérrez declared that "the party is over for the criminals," according to the Medellín city government's account of the operation. The mayor characterized the results as a major blow against organizations linked to homicide, robbery, extortion, and drug trafficking.
President Abelardo de la Espriella described the operation as the authority Colombians had demanded. His reported final figures were 149 arrests, four apprehensions, 98 expulsions, 166 searches, and one INTERPOL Red Notice.
The operation was publicly associated with President De la Espriella, Mayor Gutiérrez, Governor Andrés Julián Rendón of Antioquia, the National Police, and Migración Colombia. The available reports do not establish which institution made each arrest or which judicial authority issued the warrants.
Deportations And Tourist Safety
Migración Colombia carried out the deportation of 98 Venezuelan nationals, 11 of whom reportedly had active arrest warrants in Venezuela. Mayor Gutiérrez clarified that the measure does not seek to stigmatize the migrant population, but rather to act against those who commit crimes.
The operation targeted groups that allegedly preyed on tourists in affluent areas such as Provenza and Pueblito Paisa. Authorities also investigated possible incidents related to the Olaya Herrera airport in Medellín and the José María Córdova airport in Rionegro.
What It Means for US Readers
US travelers to Medellín should be aware that authorities have targeted criminal groups operating in tourist-heavy areas such as Provenza and Pueblito Paisa. The operation against La Roja focused on theft of high-end watches and jewelry from visitors.
The reported deportations of 98 Venezuelan nationals reflect Colombia's broader immigration enforcement posture under the current administration. US citizens should carry identification and remain aware of their surroundings in urban areas.
What Is Not Known
The final arrest total is unresolved: the municipal government reported 97 arrests, while the president's figures ranged from 135 to 149. The discrepancy may reflect different geographic scopes, cut-off times, or counting methods.
The status of the detainees is unknown, as public reports do not identify how many were formally charged, released, placed in pretrial detention, or acquitted. No primary-source document cited in the available reporting reconciles the discrepancies.
The circumstances of "Primo Sangre's" death are unverified, as available reports do not provide an independent account, forensic findings, or an official investigation status. The deportation terminology also varies between "deportations" and "expulsions" without explaining the legal basis for each case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were arrested in the Medellin operation?
The operation lasted more than 12 hours and involved over 1,400 police officers across 11 neighborhoods.
What criminal groups were targeted?
The operation also targeted FARC dissident structures, resulting in the death of alias “Primo Sangre” in San Cristóbal.
Were any foreign nationals deported?
The legal basis for each deportation or expulsion has not been publicly detailed.
Sources: Medellín Mayor’s Office, Colombian National Police, Migración Colombia.
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This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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