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Located within the Aburra Valley within the Colombian portion of the Andes Mountains, Medellin is a vibrant metropolis with dazzling nightlife, wealthy tradition, pleasant locals, and a temperate local weather.
Town attracts guests from all around the world and has been a hotspot for People in recent times. 1.4 million guests went to Medellin final 12 months, 40% of which have been People.
Sadly, together with every thing that makes Medellin so distinctive, there’s a darkish facet, and lots of American males are discovering themselves victims of what locals check with as burundanga. Within the final two months of 2023, eight US residents died within the metropolis of Medellín, in incidents involving drugging or suspected homicide.
What’s Burundanga?
Burundanga, often known as Satan’s Breath, is a drug medically often called scopolamine. Historically, scopolamine is used to deal with nausea, however in massive doses, it could possibly render a sufferer unconscious for twenty-four hours, block their reminiscence, and make them keen to offer personal info corresponding to financial institution and password info.
Scopolamine is difficult to detect because of its odorless, tasteless, and scentless properties. It may be administered as a sprig, liquid, or powder, and most regarding of all, in uncommon instances, it could possibly trigger respiratory failure and demise.
U.S. Embassy Safety Alert
On January 10, 2024, the U.S. Embassy Bogota issued a security alert concerning eight suspicious deaths of U.S. residents in Medellin, recorded between November 1 and December 31, 2023. These incidents, characterised by involuntary drugging overdoses or suspected homicides, look like unrelated as a result of distinct circumstances surrounding every case. Nonetheless, a sample of drugging, theft, and overdose has emerged, with a number of instances linked to using on-line relationship functions.
The Tourism Observatory of the District Personnel of Medellin reported a big uptick in crimes in opposition to international guests, with thefts rising by 200 p.c and violent deaths by 29 p.c within the third quarter of 2023 in comparison with the earlier 12 months. Notably, nearly all of victims in these violent deaths have been U.S. residents. Criminals have been exploiting relationship apps to focus on victims, arranging conferences in public locations to assault and rob them. There have been quite a few situations the place U.S. residents in Colombia have been drugged and robbed, and in some instances, killed, by people they met by way of these functions.
The Embassy has noticed an increase in stories of such incidents over the previous 12 months, significantly in main cities together with Medellin, Cartagena, and Bogota. These crimes are sometimes underreported as a result of victims’ embarrassment and reluctance to interact with the judicial course of.
Given this alarming development, the U.S. Embassy advises residents to train elevated vigilance, improve their situational consciousness, and undertake stringent private safety measures throughout their keep in Colombia.
Find out how to Defend Your self
If you’re touring, there are all the time steps you must take to guard your self. For instance, you must all the time inform somebody you belief your plans and whereabouts, however there are particular steps you may take to guard your self from burundanga.
- Keep away from going locations alone or leaving with a stranger.
- Don’t settle for meals or drink from strangers.
- Don’t go away meals or drink unattended.
- Name “123” from any Colombian payphone in case you are in quick hazard.
- If you’re assembly somebody from a relationship website, ship their picture and data to a pal to allow them to be discovered in case your electronics are stolen.
Staying Secure and Having Enjoyable in Medellin
Colombia is a stupendous place to go to, and Medellin is certainly one of its nationwide treasures. Guests have a lot to take pleasure in and uncover on this South American city, however it’s all the time necessary to remain alert and conscious.
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