Medellin Bans Prostitution in El Poblado to Combat Sex Tourism

Addressing the growing concerns of sex tourism in Medellin, Mayor Federico Gutierrez has declared a temporary prohibition on prostitution within the El Poblado neighborhood. Known for attracting international visitors and serving as a pivotal point in Medellin’s sex trade, El Poblado, specifically in areas like El Parque Lleras, Provenza, and El Parque de El Poblado, has witnessed notable street activity by sex workers. Despite prostitution’s legality in Colombia, the ban, announced at a press conference on April 1, 2024, aims to curb sex services and related activities in these tourist-frequented zones for six months.

The reasons behind Medellin’s prostitution ban

Several factors prompted Federico Gutierrez to enact this historic decision. Firstly, the recent spike in sex tourism has shed light on the grim reality of sexual exploitation networks, particularly involving child trafficking. The decision to ban prostitution directly follows a disturbing incident in the El Poblado neighborhood, where an American citizen was discovered with two young Colombian girls, aged 12 and 13. With growing public indignation towards sex tourism, the Mayor of Medellin has resolved to outlaw this contentious activity.

In addition to the prostitution ban in El Poblado, the city has implemented a second decree, instituting a 1 AM curfew in the Parque Lleras area and banning the sale or consumption of alcohol there.

Federico Gutierrez against sex trafficking

During the press conference, Federico Gutierrez expressed his determination to “reclaim these spaces that criminality had overtaken, distorting these areas of the city and putting our women, and especially our children and adolescents, at risk.” Indeed, criminal networks are deeply involved in the sex industry, some of which have been specifically identified by the Medellin municipality as related to sexual exploitation, such as the ‘La Terraza’, ‘La Raya’, and ‘Robledo’ gangs, all originating from Medellin.

This decision is part of the mayor’s broader vision for Medellin, as he aims to shift the city’s tourism model away from narcotourism and sex tourism towards culture-based tourism. Additionally, the mayor aspires to transform the city into an international hub for technology and innovative industries, including cinema.