Steering wheel in hand, Governor Andrés Julián Rendón took to the streets of El Retiro, Eastern Antioquia, this Thursday, April 25, to announce the photos and names of the 18 most wanted men allegedly responsible for gender-based violence in the department, a fact described by the authorities as unprecedented in the fight against these crimes that continue to violate the rights of women.
Citizens who received a copy of the poster also noted that a reward of up to $50 million is being offered in each case for information leading to the capture of these people, who are accused of committing crimes such as femicide, abusive sexual relations with minors under 14 years of age and domestic violence, among others.
“We hope that with this most wanted poster we can very quickly have information from the community, so that the authorities complete the process of prosecuting and arresting these aggressors“said the president during a press conference from the park of that municipality.
We recommend you read: Alarming: there were 885 cases of sexual crimes against minors in Medellín in just 4 years
According to the National Police, until March 31 of this year, 4,348 cases of domestic violence were reported in the department, of which 76% were against women; as well as 743 cases of sexual violence, of which 79% were also against them.
Likewise, according to the Observatory of Women and Gender Affairs of the Women’s Secretariat of Antioquia, 28 alleged femicides have been reported in the department so far this year, That is, 15.6% less than in the same period of 2023, when there were a total of 32 cases.
Also present at this Thursday’s meeting were the secretary of the Women of Antioquia María del Pilar Solano and the deputy commander of the Antioquia Police, Colonel Luis Fernando Muñoz, who gave details of the Comprehensive Protection Strategy for Women, Family and Gender, which seeks to guarantee the protection of women and their family environment in cases of gender violence.
You may be interested: The Prosecutor’s Office charged charges against the other pedophile captured in an apartment in El Poblado; revealed their identity
Solano recalled that in his office they have protection and care mechanisms such as Line 123 Mujer Antioquia, which operates 24 hours a day, and the Protection Homes, to provide temporary shelter to women at risk and their family units. “It is true, women shout and sometimes they do not listen to us, but with these actions to prevent, eradicate and punish gender-based violence, we want our voices to be heard,” said Solano.
According to the Government of Antioquia, So far this year, 1,140 care and rescues have been provided to women victims of gender violence by the authorities.
Also read: Gringo fell who intended to travel to Medellín to abuse four girls aged 10 and 12: he has come 45 times since 2023
For his part, Colonel Muñoz pointed out that the prevention, care and protection strategy for women integrates the Police, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Comptroller’s Office and the Icbf, entities that have their communication channels open to receive information on cases that affect women. women as well as the clarification of crimes against them.
Among these crimes, the authorities recalled the occurred this weekend in the municipality of Andes, Southwest, where a renowned seamstress was found dead in the waters of the San Juan River with injuries that indicate that she was murdered.
“We call on the community to, in accordance with this most wanted poster, Give us that timely information, valid to apply the sanction and the law against these people who attack our women.”the officer declared.
Also read: Man murdered his 7-year-old daughter with a knife in El Retiro
Why The Retreat?
The launch of the poster in the municipality of El Retiro was not random. There, on February 15, the serious attack against Janeth Posada Arbeláez occurred, who was found by a farmer in a rural area of this municipality, brutally beaten, abused and wounded several times with a knife.
Despite the efforts of doctors to save his life, Janeth died on March 18 at the San Vicente Fundación Hospital in Rionegro.
For this crime, the authorities identified Jorge Iván Mestra as the alleged perpetrator, who until today, they said, is a fugitive from justice and for whom a $10 million reward was initially offered. A figure that today has already reached $50 million. In fact, it is Mestra who heads this most wanted poster.
The woman’s family celebrated the governor’s initiative and valued it as an important effort not only to find the person responsible, but also to break the initial silence that the case had, which, According to the Eastern Human Rights Roundtable, it was made public just eight days after it happened.
Also read: Court denied appeal with which John Poulos sought to annul his process for the femicide of Valentina Trespalacios
“To the family members, the authorities told us on those dates that neither statements nor more efforts could be made to look for him (Mestra) because that pressure could help him escape and that the image of the town could not be affected either. . Furthermore, they told us that even holding a vigil was an incitement for the act to be repeated by him or by someone else. That is why we appreciate the support of the governor and we hope that with the reward the (alleged) murderer of my sister-in-law can be found,” added María Eugenia Balvín Lopera.
In fact, the relative indicated that a contact number was included in an official bulletin so that information about Mestra Henao could be given there; However, the number is turned off.
Read more: They captured El Químico in Bello, an American accused of sexually abusing six minors in Antioquia
Faced with this issue, the mayor of El Retiro Santiago Montoya reiterated his repudiation of the terrible crime, but he denied that his office had provided the number in question. Furthermore, he pointed out that from the first moment and by directive of the judicial authorities, the secretariats in his charge – which have influence on the issue – have been cautious with the handling of the information and the care of the investigative process.
“Since the Ombudsman’s Office activated the attention route for the incident, we abide by the recommendations and guidelines given by the investigating entities regarding the confidentiality of the case so that the criminal does not flee.“All the good actions of the Mayor’s Office are supported by the control entities,” Montoya said.
You may be interested in: The gringo behind the arrests of 13 foreign pedophiles who pretended to be on tourism in Medellín
Society also joins
This initiative to eradicate gender violence emanating from the authorities is also joined by others of a social nature. For example, following the vile murder of Janeth Posada, In El Retiro, a collective of responsible citizen participation has become visible that seeks to defend rural women, often submissive to the patriarchal scheme that predominates in those environments.
In the 2024-2027 Development Plan, the Government of Antioquia establishes the strengthening of institutional capacities in the municipalities, the prevention, care and protection of women victims of gender violence. with support strategies such as Line 123 Mujer Antioquia and support to Protection Homes for them and their families.
“God willing that this serves to put an end to these harsh crimes, because this has to stop,” said Estéfany, Janeth’s daughter.
