US Government Pledges Medellín Mayor Federico Gutierrez Full Support Against Sexual Predators & Human Trafficking

Medellín’s Mayor Federico “Fico” Gutierrez met this week with US Ambassador to Colombia Francisco Palmieri in Bogotá to discuss joint efforts against sexual predators and human trafficking. Ambassador Palmieri pledged the total cooperation of the US government and its resources to support Colombian law enforcement, and to bring any American perpetrators to justice, including extradition of American citizens to Colombia. Translation by Finance Colombia:

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Ambassador Palmieri

Thank you Mr. Mayor for accompanying us today In this work, a work group that we have established, and I believe that we have advanced in many fields, in this effort against sexual exploitation and human trafficking. We are very thankful that we can work with your team.

Mayor Gutierrez

Many thanks Mr. Ambassador. This has been a very positive meeting. Protecting childhood has to be the most important. This alliance permits us to put forward maximum effort against sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. Against the human trafficking networks, and definitely we can combine forces. This will bring grand results, and as I say, this has a component of struggle, of control, but also of prevention, in which we are going to work as a team, and this is a fine message that we are sending together.

Ambassador Palmieri

We have listened very clearly that there is zero tolerance for these types of crimes, and count on us here in Colombia, working with your public forces, but also on our side in the United States to ensure that nobody can escape responsibility.

Mayor Gutierrez

I want that Medellín is converted into the example, not only for Colombia, and not only for Latin America, but for the world in the struggle against sexual exploitation of boys, girls, and teenagers. And I know that with your accompaniment, and that of your government, the US government and all those agencies, we are going to consolidate a good example of this collaboration for the entire world.