The mayor of Valledupar requested President Abelardo De La Espriella to hold a security council due to the transfer of 16 inmates to 'La Tramacúa'

The transfer of these 16 high-risk prisoners to 'La Tramacúa' in Valledupar has raised alerts due to the risk to citizen security. The 16 high-risk prisoners have already been transferred and are in the 'La Tramacúa' prison in Valledupar. Photo: Courtesy 10.08.2026 13:10 Updated: 10.08.2026 13:10 The mayor of Valledupar, Ernesto Orozco Durán, requested the President of Colombia, Abelardo De La Espriella, a Security Council in Valledupar, to analyze the government's decision to transfer 16 prisoners classified as high-risk to the high and medium security prison, popularly known as 'La Tramacúa', in Valledupar. READ ALSO The measure, according to the local mayor, requires acting responsibly to guarantee the tranquility of the residents of Valledupar. "Valledupar is ready to work collaboratively with the National Government. As mayor, my priority is to ensure the safety and peace of the residents. Therefore, in light of the decision to transfer 16 high-risk individuals to our city, we must act with full responsibility. I invite Valledupar to convene a Security Council," Orozco Durán expressed in a public message. The mayor explained that the purpose of the meeting is to coordinate institutional efforts to anticipate risks and strengthen response capacity. In this regard, the Security Council will include the Metropolitan Police, the National Army, the Prosecutor's Office, Gaula, and representatives of the Cesar Department, who will review surveillance protocols. La Tramacúa prison in Valledupar Photo: Social Media "We ask the National Government that, just as they send us these prisoners, they also support us to provide greater security for the residents of Valledupar and strengthen us with more police units, intelligence, security cameras, and technology because we know there is a commitment to dismantle the crime we have in these prisons," the mayor emphasized. In this same context, the mayor noted that the high and medium security prison in Valledupar, popularly known as 'La Tramacúa', has caused more problems than benefits for the city. However, he stressed that, in order to contribute to the security program and strategy led by the National Government, he is willing to work jointly and in coordination with national authorities. "The idea of the Security Council is to plan the security of the residents of Valledupar. It is no secret what has been happening in this area in the city, and the public force has been doing work despite our limited resources," Orozco Durán stated. Tension in Valledupar after the arrival of the prisoners The sixteen inmates considered high-risk are: Hernán Giraldo Serna, former paramilitary leader, along with Sebastián González Ortega, Aimer Serrano Serrano, Jhonny Eduardo Barbosa Muñoz, Walter Emiro Bertel Vega, Didier Alexander Cuero Segura, Mauricio Marín Silva, Leonardo Álvarez López, José Otálvaro Chavarría, Sebastián Suaza Ochoa, Germán Ovidio Valencia Restrepo, Cleison Licona Castro, Juan Carlos Zuleta Marín, Jean Fernando Espinosa Lopera, John Jairo Vélez Londoño, and Yeison Rodríguez Mosquera. La Tramacúa, the prison where these individuals are held, has a capacity for 1,600 inmates. Photo: Courtesy All of them are accused of their ability to reorganize criminal structures and disrupt public order, which makes their presence an additional challenge for the security of the Cesar capital, a concern based on the fact that these prisoners do not arrive alone, as they are also transferred with their criminal networks, directly threatening the security and tranquility of Valledupar's residents. In response to this situation, the representative to the Chamber for Cesar, Mello Castro, announced a Bill that he will present next week, aimed at ensuring that cities hosting high and medium security prisons receive financial compensation to access resources from the National Security and Citizen Coexistence Fund (Fonsecon), intended to strengthen security and citizen peace. Mello Castro González, representative to the Chamber for Cesar. Photo: Social Media "I will present a bill that I will file next week, through which cities with high and medium security prisons will be financially compensated to access Fonsecon resources, which are funds from the Ministry aimed at projects to improve security and the peace of citizens," Castro explained. READ ALSO The congressman also highlighted that the risk is that these centers experience overcrowding, extortion, and institutional mismanagement, making a prison reform necessary that aligns with the will of the National Government. You might also be interested in: One of the survivors shared his testimony. Photo: EL TIEMPO Follow all the news from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. EL TIEMPO NEWSLETTERS Register for our newsletters and receive news in your email according to your interests. Stay informed about what really matters to you. EL TIEMPO GOOGLE NEWS Follow us on GOOGLE NEWS. 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