American Man Accused of Child Exploitation Flees Medellin

A new case of child exploitation allegedly involving an American citizen has been reported in Medellin. A 36-year-old American from Ohio was arrested in his hotel with two girls, aged 12 and 13, accused of according to local police. After being held in custody for 12 hours, he was released and managed to flee the country, returning to the United States.

UPDATE: Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he will submit a formal request for the extradition of the accused, Timothy Alan Livingston.

Sex tourism and child exploitation represent the darker side of tourism in Medellin and have recently come under public scrutiny due to the multiplication of such incidents. Federico Gutierrez, the mayor of Medellin, has publicly committed to eradicating this issue as part of his broader plan to turn Medellin into a major international tourism destination, transitioning from sex tourism and narcotourism to a culture-based tourism model.

New case of child exploitation in Medellin

Following the arrest, the mayor of Medellin ordered the temporary closure of the hotel for 10 days. Located in the Provenza neighborhood, one of the most popular areas among international tourists in Medellin, the hotel claimed ignorance of its guest’s activities, claiming that he took advantage of a security shift changeover to bring the girls to his room. In a press conference, Mayor Federico Gutierrez announced the city’s intention to close and confiscate hotels that facilitate child abuse and trafficking. The mayor of Medellin also publicly disclosed the offender’s identity, stating his determination to show that foreigners cannot visit Medellin to exploit the city’s youth with impunity.

Regarding the American’s quick release, it was attributed to the lack of immediate material evidence regarding the child abuse and child trafficking charges, as there are no direct witnesses to sexual activities, and neither of the 12- and 13-year-old girls reported having sex or receiving money from the American citizen.

Medellin, Colombia and the rise of sex tourism

The issue of sex tourism in Medellin and Colombia is becoming increasingly concerning, posing risks to both Colombian and foreign citizens, as the phenomenon involves sexual exploitation networks that often resort to violence. In 2024 alone, there have been 11 suspicious deaths of foreigners in Medellin, attributed to intoxication, suggesting poisoning – a method frequently employed by criminal sexual exploitation networks. Consequently, the U.S. Embassy in Bogota has issued a warning to its citizens against using dating apps in the city, as these platforms are commonly used by criminal networks to lure, scam, and even drug and rob foreign tourists seeking sexual experiences.

UPDATE: The arrest of an American citizen revealed a horrific Colombian child trafficking network based in Medellin.

On the other hand, some international tourists are fueling these criminal networks, as they specifically seek sexual encounters, even crossing moral and legal barriers to indulge with underage girls and boys. In 2023, 1,259 cases of sexual exploitation of minors were registered in the city, a growing phenomenon that has been fueled by poverty and the Venezuelan migrant crisis. In a more tragic event, a Canadian citizen was recently involved in the brutal murder of a young Colombian woman. Beyond Medellin’s mayor, Colombia’s Vice President Francia Marquez also recently called out sex tourism as a phenomenon that damages the dignity of Colombian women and jeopardizes children’s safety.

While Colombia is renowned for the beauty and attractiveness of its people, the country should not be regarded as a destination for sexual entertainment or perceived as a place lacking moral standards. Boasting rich cultural and natural diversity, remarkable nature tourism, a vibrant music and dance scene, exquisite gastronomy, and the warmth of its people, Colombia stands as a destination truly worth visiting.