Medellín’s Ruta N Named Victim in Criminal Investigation Related to Administration of Daniel Quintero

On October 21, 2025, municipal tech incubator Corporación Ruta N Medellín announced its involvement as a victim in an ongoing criminal investigation stemming from alleged irregularities during the entity’s previous administration (2020–2023).

The announcement follows a hearing held by the Fiscalía General de la Nación before the Juzgado Tercero Penal Municipal (3rd municipal criminal court) in which charges were formally brought against Héctor Iván Rendón Vélez for violation of the regime of inabilities and incompatibilities, and Luisa Fernanda Rendón Gallo for falsification of a private document. These charges are part of a broader set of 650 findings revealed by Medellín’s mayor, Federico “Fico” Gutiérrez.

Ruta N clarified that it is not under investigation as a presumed responsible party, but rather as an entity affected by the alleged actions of the accused. The organization has requested formal recognition as a victim within the criminal proceedings, citing direct impacts on principles of transparency, morality, and the public resources it manages.
The damages cited by Ruta N include:

• Economic: Payment for a service contract that, according to the entity, should not have been executed, resulting in a direct impact on its resources.
• Reputational: The events, unrelated to the current administration, risk undermining public and business confidence in the entity’s transparent management.
• Political and Institutional: Actions by former representatives or interveners may distort public perception of Ruta N’s mission and credibility as a driver of Medellín’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.
• Moral and Public Trust: Such conduct is described as undermining institutional integrity and affecting relationships with partners, contractors, and the academic and business communities.

Ruta N reiterated its policy of zero tolerance for corruption and its commitment to transparency, legality, and responsible management of public resources entrusted by the Distrito de Medellín and Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM). The organization also reported that the accused did not accept the charges, and the judicial process will continue.

Ruta N stated its intention to cooperate fully with judicial authorities to clarify the facts, defend public resources, and preserve its reputation.

The investigation is being conducted by the Fiscalía General de la Nación (Attorney General’s office) and overseen by the Juzgado Tercero Penal Municipal (3rd Municipal Criminal Court).