The most famous resort in Colombia is going through a bloody wave of violence, cocaine trafficking, fighting for millions of pesos and criminal groups trying to replace the State. SEMANA presents the x-ray of the crime that threatens Santa Marta.
So far in 2023, 154 people have died violently. The Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that in 90% of the cases the perpetrators appear to be motorcycle-riding hitmen who were supposed to get paid to shoot their victims.
The magnifying glass is placed on the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia -Clan del Golfo- and the Conquering Self-Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada, who claim to control illegal economies and claim lives for violating their cooling regulations.
The two structures are in the ‘total peace’ project of the national government and denied – in pamphlets signed from undercover – the accusations of the authorities. Amidst this push and pull, there are victims who are crying out for justice.
This scenario of violence is mediated by drug trafficking that crosses all the oceans until it reaches the streets of the old continent. On the table there are thousands and thousands of euros promoting crimes in the city of Santa Marta, according to the investigative entity.
SEMANA learned that the massacre that took place on October 2 inside a cabin, where three subjects died and two others were injured, a feared organization that manages the export of cocaine to Europe was involved.
The truth is that 40% of crimes committed in 2023 will have an accused behind bars. While the level of explanation of crimes reported in 2022 accumulates to 50% in the entire department of Magdalena.
The dangers are still active on the streets, especially when the intelligence units of the public force warn that criminals will take control and issue death sentences against anyone they see as an enemy.
The fuel of crime
Prosecutor John Freddy Encinales revealed that the fuel of the crime in Santa Marta was cocaine that was camouflaged in ships, cargo of bananas and speedboats that sailed from improvised docks. One kilo can cost one and a half million pesos.
However, if it lands in Europe, the profit will increase due to the logistics operation. That portion will increase to 66 million pesos. In many cases, the money comes in cash or in exchange for weapons that are distributed throughout the region.
Illegality can also be financed by stealing, extorting and threatening tourists. The most worrying facts are the apparent kidnappings, mediated by blind dating applications, where the accounts of lovers are stolen.
