US Citizen Arrested in Colombia for Child Sexual Abuse

"There is no room for mistreatment or abuse of boys and girls."
— Bogota Mayor Carlos Galan

Incident

A US citizen was arrested on Sunday in Bogota, Colombia, accused of sexually abusing a child. The arrest followed the circulation of a video on social media showing a man holding a child on a balcony in an upscale neighborhood. The video shows bystanders shouting at the man to release the child.

Official Actions

Bogota Mayor Carlos Galan confirmed the arrest on Sunday, stating there was "no room for mistreatment or abuse of boys and girls." Authorities entered the suspect's apartment and found three children, who were taken to a medical center for evaluation. Colombia's state agency for child protection confirmed the children are in its care.

Suspect Details

The suspect, a US citizen, arrived in Bogota on a June 6 flight, according to a spokesperson for Colombia's immigration authority.

Public Response

Dozens of people gathered on Sunday afternoon at the entrance of the building where the suspect lived to demand his arrest.

Government Statements

Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on X that Colombia needed to introduce visas to prevent "pedophiles" from entering the country.

Broader Context

Authorities reported that Colombia turned away around 100 foreigners who traveled for sex tourism in the first half of 2026. Several high-profile cases of children being exploited by foreigners in recent years have heightened local government vigilance against sex tourism.