colombianherald.com

Minute30.com .- The fight against child sexual exploitation in Colombia has reached a new judicial milestone in the international arena. Manuel Poceiro, a US citizen between 66 and 69 years old, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the United States after confirming his responsibility in multiple sexual crimes committed against minors in Colombian territory, specifically in cities such as Medellín.

This ruling, which has been celebrated by local authorities, positions Poceiro as the second foreigner to receive the maximum sentence in the North American country for crimes of this nature perpetrated in Colombia, following in the footsteps of the sentence previously imposed on Stefan Correa.

A file of horror: The evidence against Poceiro

The investigation that led to the downfall of this “sex tourist” was exhaustive. According to official reports, Manuel Poceiro was found guilty of the crimes of coercion and incitement of minors to sexual activities, production of child pornography and possession of material containing sexual exploitation of minors.

At the time of his capture and after the technical inspection of his electronic devices, the US federal authorities and the Colombian National Police found an arsenal of incriminating digital evidence. Dozens of images and videos were found on his cell phone that documented systematic abuses against boys and girls, material that the convicted man not only stored, but also produced while taking advantage of his stay in the country.

“The fight is firm and relentless”: Fico

The mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, was one of the first to react to the news through his official channels. The president stressed that this sentence is a direct message for those who intend to use Medellín as a destination for sexual tourism.

“Justice was done. This conviction is the result of articulate and forceful work between the authorities of Colombia and the United States, and confirms that international cooperation is key to protecting our boys and girls. Stefan Correa was the first. Manuel Poceiro is the second. Let’s go for more,” said Mayor Gutiérrez.

The local president also extended gratitude to the United States Embassy, ​​the Homeland Security Investigations agency (HSI), the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office for the rigor in collecting evidence that allowed the life sentence.

International cooperation against criminal networks

This case highlights the effectiveness of strategic alliances between international agencies to pursue crimes that cross borders. Coordination with the HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) has been essential so that foreign citizens who commit crimes in Colombia do not find refuge in their countries of origin.

The sentence to life imprisonment in the US judicial system is a structural blow to the exploitation networks that see the social vulnerability of certain sectors in Colombia as an opportunity for crime. With this precedent, Colombian authorities seek to discourage the arrival of sexual offenders under the guise of tourists.

Medellín shields its childhood

So far this year, the municipal administration of Medellín has intensified operations in hotels, hostels and rental apartments through digital platforms to detect possible sources of exploitation. The capture and conviction of individuals like Poceiro reinforces the policy of zero tolerance against any threat to the physical and moral integrity of minors.

The Mayor’s Office of Medellín and the Metropolitan Police have called on citizens to report any suspicious behavior by foreigners or nationals that involves minors. “There will be no impunity for those who touch our children,” the authorities have reiterated in the context of this historic conviction.

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