Medellín mayor proposes 'Pabellón Q' for ex-mayor Quintero in new megaprison

Mayor Federico Gutiérrez announced a special pavilion, dubbed 'Pabellón Q', in the new Metropolitan Prison for former mayor Daniel Quintero and other officials investigated for alleged corruption. The megaprison, the first in Colombia to be managed in partnership with the private sector, is expected to relieve overcrowding in police stations, where over 1,200 people are currently held.

The announcement

During a speech at the Túnel del Toyo celebrating 216 years of independence, Gutiérrez said: 'To those who stole Medellín, your time will come soon and I have reserved the Pabellón Q for you' Source: Infobae, El Colombiano. He referred to Quintero, who faces more than 40 investigations for alleged corruption Source: Infobae; El Colombiano specifies 43. Gutiérrez also criticized Quintero's role as superintendent of health, claiming debts at Savia Salud grew from 700 billion to 1.4 trillion pesos under his watch Source: El Colombiano.

The megaprison context

The Metropolitan Prison, slated for completion in the first quarter of 2027, aims to decongest police stations, URIs, and Prosecutor's Office facilities Source: Infobae, El Colombiano. It will operate through a public-private alliance, a first for Colombia Source: Infobae. The project is part of broader regional infrastructure talks with incoming governor Abelardo de la Espriella Source: El Colombiano.