Medellín Enacts Six-Month Prostitution Ban in Tourist Areas

The measure aims to combat child exploitation and regain area control, following a concerning incident with an American tourist.

Medellín's Mayor Federico Gutierrez has issued a six-month ban on prostitution in the neighborhoods of Provenza and El Poblado to prevent the sexual exploitation of children and regain control of these tourist-heavy areas.
The ban comes in the wake of an incident involving an American man found with two underage girls in a hotel room, highlighting concerns over sex tourism and the exploitation of minors.
Sex work, while legal in Colombia for consenting adults, can be temporarily banned by local governments in areas deemed a threat to public order.
The decision to enforce the ban reflects growing concerns over the safety of both tourists and locals, with recent reports of tourists being lured into dangerous situations through dating apps.
Mayor Gutierrez has called for a swift investigation into the recent case involving the American man and emphasized the importance of protecting the community from such exploitation.