More Tourists Killed In Medellin Colombia (Harsh Truth About Safety In Colombia)

Summary

The speaker, having experienced the perils of Colombia firsthand, dispels myths about increasing danger, asserting that violence has long been a reality. They share personal encounters with crime, including armed robberies, and emphasize the importance of not presenting oneself as an easy target. The video also warns about the deceptive nature of online dating and the prevalence of criminal elements in the country, urging viewers to be vigilant and smart while acknowledging the coexistence of danger and beauty in Colombia.

Takeaways

• 😔 The speaker has personally experienced significant loss and danger in Colombia, giving them a unique perspective on the country's safety.
• 🌍 The perception of increasing danger in Colombia may be due to more foreign incidents being reported rather than an actual increase in crime.
• 🗞️ News outlets and social media may not accurately represent the full extent of violence and crime in Colombia, as many incidents go unreported.
• 😡 Despite the presence of good people, there are also very dangerous individuals in Colombia who can pose a threat to both locals and foreigners.
• ⚠️ Colombia is indeed dangerous, and anyone claiming otherwise is likely ignorant of the true situation on the ground.
• 🔪 The speaker witnessed extreme levels of violence, including multiple instances of having guns pulled on them.
• 💔 Tragic incidents, such as the death of a loved one due to violence, are sadly common occurrences in the speaker's experience.
• 🤔 The speaker suggests that being targeted is often about opportunity, and advises against displaying wealth or valuable items to avoid becoming a target.
• 🔒 When it comes to online dating, the speaker warns of scams and the potential for robbery, emphasizing the need for caution and awareness of red flags.
• 🏥 Even in sensitive situations like visiting a hospital after a family member's death, the speaker faced threats and violence.
• 🇨🇴 The speaker acknowledges the reality of crime in Colombia while also recognizing the good people and memorable experiences that can be had there.

Q & A

What is the speaker's personal experience with safety in Colombia?

The speaker has experienced the death of multiple loved ones and has personally encountered dangerous situations, including having guns pulled on them multiple times.

Why does the speaker believe that the perception of increased danger in Colombia is misleading?

The speaker suggests that incidents in Colombia are often swept under the rug and not reported, making it seem like recent events are more frequent when they have been happening all along.

What role do news outlets and social media play in the speaker's view of how safety in Colombia is portrayed?

The speaker believes that news outlets and social media have started to give more coverage to incidents involving foreigners, which creates a false impression that the situation is worsening.

What advice does the speaker give to avoid becoming a target for criminals in Colombia?

The speaker advises not to display wealth or valuable items, to think like a criminal or desperate person to assess if one might be an opportunity for crime, and to be cautious with online dating.

How does the speaker describe the general attitude towards foreigners in Colombia?

The speaker states that criminals do not discriminate based on nationality and that foreigners can be targeted simply because they may appear to be easy or lucrative targets.

What is the 'magic powder' mentioned in the script, and how is it related to dating in Colombia?

The 'magic powder' is a metaphor for the speaker's warning about the potential for scams and robberies involving dating, particularly through platforms like Tinder, where people could be drugged and robbed.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of having local connections in Colombia?

The speaker emphasizes local connections because Colombia is described as a place where areas are controlled by criminal hierarchies, and having people on your side can provide protection and support.

What is the speaker's view on the news and statistics regarding crime in Colombia?

The speaker believes that the news and statistics are not representative of the true extent of crime in Colombia, as many incidents go unreported, especially in rural areas.

How does the speaker describe their own approach to personal safety while living in Colombia?

The speaker describes being cautious, not displaying wealth, having a 'cheap bike' for certain areas, and changing their behavior based on the context and location to avoid being a target.

What is the speaker's overall message about visiting Colombia?

The speaker's overall message is not to avoid Colombia but to be aware, cautious, and smart about one's actions and surroundings to minimize risks.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Dark Realities of Colombia's Safety

The speaker, having experienced significant loss and danger in Colombia, addresses the misconception that the country is becoming more dangerous. They clarify that Latin America, unlike the USA or Europe, does not sensationalize incidents but rather tends to downplay or ignore them. The speaker emphasizes that violence and crime have long been prevalent, but only recently have foreigners become more visible victims, attracting media attention. They recount personal experiences with violence, including having guns pulled on them and witnessing the tragic death of loved ones due to gang warfare, painting a stark picture of the country's underreported reality.

05:01

🚨 Navigating the Risks in Colombia

This paragraph delves into strategies for avoiding danger in Colombia, suggesting that one should think like a potential victim to preemptively avoid becoming a target. The speaker warns against displaying wealth or valuable items, as these can attract criminals. They share personal anecdotes of surviving robberies and emphasize the importance of blending in and being cautious, especially when using dating apps where scams like the 'magic powder' are prevalent. The speaker also advises on the importance of having local connections for safety and understanding the criminal dynamics within different areas of the country.

10:02

🏛 The Pervasive Influence of Crime in Colombia

The speaker discusses the omnipresence of criminal elements in Colombia, ranging from street gangs to powerful mafia-like organizations that control certain areas. They highlight the importance of having local allies or understanding the criminal hierarchy in any given area to ensure personal safety. The paragraph also touches on the organized crime targeting foreigners, including kidnappings and scams, and the involvement of individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds in such activities. The speaker urges not to underestimate the dangers and to approach life in Colombia with caution and awareness.

15:04

📚 Beyond the Headlines: The True Nature of Crime in Colombia

In the final paragraph, the speaker refutes the reliability of news and statistics as true indicators of crime in Colombia, pointing out that many incidents go unreported or are deliberately hidden. They stress that the reality of crime is far more pervasive than what is portrayed in the media. The speaker shares personal stories of friends and loved ones who have fallen victim to violence, reinforcing the gravity of the situation. They conclude by encouraging potential visitors to Colombia to be vigilant, smart, and prepared, without letting fear deter them from experiencing the country's rich culture and beauty.

Keywords

💡Safety

Safety refers to the state of being protected from harm or danger. In the context of the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of personal safety in Colombia, sharing personal experiences and observations about the risks and dangers faced by both locals and foreigners. The video's theme revolves around debunking misconceptions about the safety situation in Colombia and providing advice on how to navigate it safely.

💡Colombia

Colombia is a country in South America known for its rich culture and history, but also for issues related to safety and violence. The video script discusses the reality of living in Colombia, highlighting both the positive aspects of the country and the very real dangers that exist, particularly for foreigners who may not be aware of the local dynamics.

💡Violence

Violence is the use of physical force to harm or kill someone. The script describes various instances of violence that the speaker has witnessed or experienced in Colombia, such as gun threats and gang warfare. This keyword is central to the video's message, illustrating the harsh realities of life in certain areas of Colombia.

💡Dangers

Dangers are things that can cause harm or injury. The video script frequently mentions the dangers present in Colombia, contrasting the common perceptions with the speaker's firsthand experiences. The term is used to underscore the need for caution and awareness when traveling or living in the country.

💡News Coverage

News coverage refers to the way events are reported and presented by news outlets. The speaker criticizes the news for not accurately representing the extent of crime and violence in Colombia, suggesting that only a small fraction of incidents are reported, and that the media may sensationalize certain stories to attract viewers.

💡Criminal Hierarchy

A criminal hierarchy is a structured system of organized crime, often with different levels of authority and control. The script mentions that Colombia has areas controlled by various levels of criminal organizations, from street gangs to powerful mafia-like structures, which significantly impact the safety and dynamics of different regions.

💡Opportunity

In the context of the video, opportunity refers to being a potential target for criminals due to displaying wealth or vulnerability. The speaker advises viewers to avoid being seen as an opportunity by not showing off valuable possessions or acting in ways that might attract criminal attention.

💡Tinder

Tinder is a dating app mentioned in the script as a potential risk for foreigners in Colombia. The speaker warns about the dangers of meeting people through the app, such as the possibility of being robbed or scammed, and advises caution and vigilance when using it to meet locals.

💡Magic Powder

The term 'magic powder' is used metaphorically in the script to describe a scenario where criminals use substances to incapacitate their victims, often in the context of dating or meeting through apps like Tinder. It serves as a warning about the potential for deceit and criminal activity in romantic encounters.

💡Kidnapping

Kidnapping is the crime of abducting someone, often for ransom or other nefarious purposes. The script includes stories of kidnappings, emphasizing that it is not just a risk for the average person but also for those who might be perceived as wealthy or vulnerable, including foreigners.

💡Survival

Survival in this context refers to the ability to navigate and endure the dangerous conditions in Colombia. The speaker shares personal strategies for survival, such as avoiding displaying wealth, knowing the local dynamics, and being cautious in various social situations.

Highlights

The speaker has experienced the dangers of Colombia firsthand, including the death of loved ones.

Contrary to popular belief, the level of danger in Colombia has not increased; it's just receiving more media attention.

Incidents in Colombia are often underreported, and what's seen in the news is just a small fraction of what actually happens.

The rise in foreigner-related news coverage is due to increased interest in foreigner stories, not an increase in incidents.

Colombia is not unique in its dangers; it's part of a broader pattern in Latin America.

The speaker emphasizes that Colombia is indeed dangerous and dismisses anyone who claims otherwise.

Personal experiences of violence are shared, including having guns pulled on the speaker multiple times.

The speaker describes the tragic and indirect killing of a loved one due to gang conflict.

Criminal elements in Colombia do not discriminate between locals and foreigners when choosing targets.

Advice is given on how to avoid becoming a target, such as not displaying wealth or valuable items.

Online dating in Colombia comes with its own set of risks, including the potential for scams and robbery.

The speaker warns about the 'magic powder' scam, a tactic used to incapacitate and rob victims.

When meeting people through dating apps, it's crucial to look for red flags and verify their identity.

The speaker shares a story of a kidnapping and mutilation involving wealthy university students.

Despite the dangers, the speaker has fond memories of Colombia and does not regret the experiences.

The importance of knowing how to navigate different areas and situations in Colombia is emphasized.

The speaker explains the need to adapt one's behavior and appearance to stay safe in various environments.

A personal anecdote about driving different bikes in different areas to avoid attracting unwanted attention.

The speaker urges viewers not to rely on news or statistics to gauge the safety of Colombia, as they are often misleading.

A final reminder that while Colombia is dangerous, it's also possible to have a positive experience with the right precautions.

Transcripts

safety in Colombia there's no better

person to talk about this subject than

me I've experienced the death of

multiple loved ones and I've experienced

the danger that Colombia can offer more

than most Colombians you know so there's

very good people and there's very bad

people in Columbia I don't even want to

make this video and it's dark times for

me you know but I'll make it just

because there's a lot of BS and people

talking online and I'll just set the

facts straight you know so first thing

is people are saying it's becoming more

dangerous it's not becoming more

dangerous guys you got to understand

first thing you need to understand about

Latin America this is not USA this is

not Europe where they prefabricate

stories and they look for something that

happened in some spot and they blow it

up in portion and their whole goal is to

scare you that's not how it works what

happens in these countries gets swept

under the rug you understand so you guys

think only things you see on the news or

the mainstream stories are what's

happening that's nothing that's not even

even 0.1% I know tons of foreigners

people get killed in Columbia it doesn't

touch news Facebook nothing you got to

understand so the little things you're

hearing about now thinking oh my God

it's happening so much it been happening

it happens a lot more what than you

think what happened was news outlets

started to realize oh stories with

foreigners are starting to actually get

traction now there was a case where an

American man killed a famous Colombian

DJ and that kind of got BW ble up and

people got very interested it and the

foreigners in Colombia now cuz there's

more they're starting to become more of

a topic you know so that's why from the

Colombian side you got more a bit more

coverage now and then you got a million

YouTubers in Colombia which they don't

have them before but this is not

happening more than before not at all

it's the exact same song and dance

that's been going on like I said I first

went there seven years ago this stuff

was happening non-stop you just didn't

hear about it on news or YouTube or

anything so don't think that this this

is something new what what is happening

though is there's more probably more

foreigners visiting Colombia and we're

in a more travel YouTuber age right so

so this is happening more but is

Colombia dangerous yes it is any any

person that wants to sit here and say

that Colombia is not dangerous is an

absolute idiot in their own bubble who

has no concept no idea what goes on in

these places you know what I mean I

lived in Benso beo PA leles C Kaa okay

fully integrated as a local you know

what I mean I don't that was how I was

living there fully as a local things

I've seen crazy crazy levels of violence

specifically I've had guns pulled on me

multiple times in the hospital in beo

after my own mother-in-law got killed uh

and this is something I haven't talked

about something I'm not going to talk

about but sweetest kindest old lady took

me in as her own son and yes she was

indirectly killed in a conflict just an

innocent victim and even when she

died me going to the

hospital going to the hospital there uh

sorry guys this is a bit it's messed up

but anyways I already knew what it was

uh to get to that hospital it's in the

border of I'm not even going to say what

hospital is anyways but it's close to

areas where uh there was a gang war very

active at that time and I knew this so I

told the person person who I was going

to have to pick up cuz they just went

basically went to get the things of the

lady that died like I'm going to scoop

you and we're getting out of here cuz I

already know what time it is and anyways

and this is for me guys this might not

be for you maybe I have a certain look

to me I do have a certain look to me

that I've become of interest to certain

criminals and police Etc I don't know

but anyways long story short even just

coming out of the hospital end up

getting this motorcycle pulls up two

guys pull guns on me start asking me all

these questions why you're here this

that then when I they find out oh you're

not Colombian oh you're not from okay

it's all good you can go you know but

this is this is like just the things you

go through you know just being on the

way picking up the things from a dead

person then you get guns pulled on you

again that so there's a lot of violent

and then the same week uh the same

cousin was just driving a girl home in a

car just rolled down the window and they

pulled out a military assault rifle and

just lit them up and this is normal man

this is normal for people there uh in

Kaa oh my God the people I knew there

just my friends would be there and then

I meet this other guy cheeky nice little

kid and they're just drinking we're

drinking and he's talking about yeah you

know I really want to go shoot someone

yeah he's like last weekend we went out

and you know I I just got drunk and I

killed three people and I just tonight

my finger feels like it wants to kill

someone this is how many people are in

Colombia news flash Welcome to the Real

World you know what I mean it's not it's

not laab this is not we're going to

build a staircase in kamun and try to

tell people that everything's changed

now cuz we built a staircase in the hood

like just ridiculous and that same guy

doing this next week was found dead not

even found dead they had to call because

they knew who to call for these type of

matters and they said oh that guy yeah

you should have called me a day ago we

just boom got rid of them you know

that's that's how it is right and now

not to take anything away from all the

law-abiding Colombians the hardworking

the good people these are all there and

very great people some of the best

people you can meet will be in Colombia

but that that's not what this is about

this is about the real life reality of

the bad people and the bad people how

they result in foreigners getting

killed so it's very real and it's not

something new guys it's not something

new now that being said hopefully you've

been paying

attention that being said you can easily

avoid a lot of of this right all you

have to do is Think Like a criminal

Think Like A desperate person that needs

money and see yourself am I an

opportunity for someone to make money or

not am I you know what I mean I've had

guns pulled on me multiple times in

Columbia always for having a gold

chain I know better but sometimes I just

didn't care I should be dead cuz I'm one

of the rare cases that actually was able

to successfully resist

two armed robberies in

Columbia but uh yeah it's because I had

a sidebag long story they think I have a

gun or something anyways that's not the

point the point is don't be a

possibility don't be an opportunity for

someone meaning have nothing of value

have nothing of value ever that's the

easiest way not to be a possibility and

don't think it's only foreigners they do

not care who you are if you have

something of value if you're an

opportunity for someone they're going to

get you that's it you're going to get

got and that person's going to use you

as the opportunity and make the come up

off you whether you're Colombian

Foreigner or not PO number one Hitman

for Pablo Escobar was out on the streets

broad daylight with a nice watch pulled

up on and robbed him top Hitman in the

world in the world so they don't care if

you're a foreigner they don't care if

you're Colombian just foreigners

sometimes are more easy lick cuz you're

more stupid maybe but but it's anyone

who's an opportunity will get hit so

number one don't have anything valuable

if you really want me to break this down

into simple information don't have

anything valuable right number two if

you're meeting girls off Tinder you have

to be very careful because Columbia has

the magic powder where they can just

blow it on you you're gone so be very

careful with that uh meeting girls off

Tinder uh you got to look out for red

flags right if she doesn't want to give

you social media you're not getting any

personal info looks too good to be true

you got to think logically like would

this girl actually want to meet me is

there any logic here look for the vi

make get their Instagram scat them out

uh you got to make sure all that's on

point first don't go somewhere where

they can take you out thing is it's it's

very hard I'm not going to lie the if

you're going to be dating on Tinder in

Columbia it's very hard because of the

magic powder I worked in the security

services there as well and yeah there's

a guy

who actually I shouldn't be talking

about this cuz it's work stuff but

anyways like some girls can look

innocent and then somehow they get in

your apartment and then they have the

magic powder boom and next thing you

know your accounts are cleaned cleaned

because maybe they had the password on

your account maybe this is a story I

know something about I'm just saying you

got to be very very careful obviously

the safest way to go about it is to get

them to put their ID with the security

when you get into your apartment that's

really the only safe way to go go about

it and even then like there's still a

lot of pitfalls to that in terms of they

could have fake IDs or or just things

could still go wrong right so but that's

really the best thing you can do but

yeah really it is it is you're running

the risk right when you're there you're

running the risk but the biggest thing

is don't be an opportunity for someone

else and know how to move man like when

I say I'm living in beo uh Kaa all these

places it's cuz I knew the right people

I needed to know in order to know that I

have some backup in these areas right so

if you're going to actually move their

long term and relocate you're going to

want to be able to get police on your

side and then some local people as well

who have some poll or because Columbia

is a mafia State and it's a gangster

State it's a gang State whether every

area is controlled by some type of

criminal hierarchy to some to some level

or another meaning some places it's

complete government

the criminal organizations where even

police can't enter and then maybe or

maybe it's just a little street gang

that somehow is influencing a certain

area all depends on what area you're in

but either way this is a huge element at

play and if you can have someone on your

side that'll be very

good so pretty much don't be valuable

don't show wealth just be a humble guy

don't have watches don't have jewelry

don't have lots of money you know sadly

is what it is and and if you're going

into anywhere besides paat or

neighborhoods that are the criminals

have a higher degree of control over

then you're going to want to make sure

you have some local people on your side

or someone you can call or someone who

can look out for you if things go south

and then with online dating you got to

be very careful at all and and cuz even

if it's I I say like tip one is make

sure it makes sense but even if it's

ugly girl there's still out here licking

guys too the ugly girls too so it's not

necessarily meaning just cuz it's a

beautiful girl or an ugly girl it's

going to have a affect whether she's a

robber or not no that's not really the

fact and there's you got to know there's

groups organized to Rob foreigners now

right there's and they're not just Hood

people there's people rich people from

Rich families University kids that they

just look at this as a side hustle like

yeah we set up a ring to kidnap

foreigners and drain their bank accounts

and kill them uh this is people right

and goes to another story with just one

of my ex-girlfriends uh the university

she studied in as well this was just a

normal story like this is not not news

or anything like no one really cares it

was just some guy she knew oh yeah this

guy I studied with uh the the two guys I

study with one stole other one's

girlfriend and then the one guy sent the

people in to kidnap the other guy and

tie him up and cut his you know what off

and his you know what's off and put them

in his mouth and they find them like

that and these are just normal rich kids

just what they get into the shenanigans

and stuff so not to

disrespect the good Colombians but every

Colombian knows this is true and they'll

be the first ones to tell you it's

extremely dangerous in Colombia it's

only probably some hippie back Packer

who went to commun tresi tour that's

going to try to tell you otherwise but

yeah this is the sad reality of things

down there but don't let it stir you

away believe me I had the best memories

the best times there the worst times as

well but uh a lot of good times and I

don't regret it at all and overall I

mean yeah I rolled the dice too many

times over there just in my my uh

response to certain situations and areas

I went in and all that I did roll the

dice quite a bit but I always acted

played my cards right to maximize my

profitability like just for example guys

when I when I lived in

beo I have a Dr 650 which which is like

an $88,000 bike brand new and then I had

a small bike

125cc and to my house I would have to

drive the

125c because you cannot have a 10 a

$8,000 in my currency it was 10 or

11,000 you cannot have this bike in this

neighborhood I only drove it maybe cuz I

didn't want to ever drive it there but

only drove around the block maybe came

in once to do something quick to the

house and already all the neighbors are

asking the guys like the local Hood rack

guys who whose bikes all the bike there

you know they're all asking everything

all just from coming in once so you just

got to know how to move you know how to

move so I knew how to move I have a

cheap bike for going in central for

going in my own house you know what I

mean and then if I'm going to a mall or

somewhere with nice area po or somewhere

with enclosed always enclosed parking

then you drive your your big bike and

the safe areas your expensive bike and

and you know how to move you change your

clothes based off everything you you

always got to know how to move so that's

something I'm used to guys cuz me since

13 years old I was out every night till

2:00 a.m. 3:00 a.m. just wandering the

streets doing God knows what but at this

point in time group of guys would find

you whoop your ass Rob everything you

have that was the protocol when you saw

a gang of guys saw another guy walk and

they would just do that that's how

things were at that time in life for me

so it's not a New Concept for me uh not

being an opportunity for someone else

but maybe for other people it is a New

Concept so just just know it's easily

avoidable and don't not go to Columbia

because of this don't not go to Columbia

because of this but be careful don't go

getting drunk or or doing too much drugs

or any of that or be with good good

people you know people that will have

your back don't go by yourself get drunk

go with sketchy people it's if you do

that there's a high probability you

might get toasted you know and me in

Columbia I never got drunk I never did

any of that you know sometimes I drank a

bit but I never did any of that and that

was also key to me surviving and all

those areas and all that as much but

yeah guys it's nothing new it's nothing

new and don't believe the news the news

is so irrelevant because the news in

Europe can try to scare you about one

thing and the news in Mexico can and say

you're not allowed to talk about this

and if you do boom so the news is not

representative of the quantity or

frequency that crimes are happening

whatsoever and unfortunately in Latin

America it's much much much worse all

and don't count on the stats and the

robbery stats or none of this guys none

of

this none of this believe me most people

get killed they don't even get put down

as a

homicide okay they especially in the

rural areas the body is just gone boom

that's it or robberies no one calls the

police they don't bother why waste your

time why would you waste your time you

know what I mean you won't waste your

time in Latin America so don't look at

Stats or news and try to judge a

situation but just

know it it is what it is uh and like I

said I just want to drill down cuz I

have a lot of Colombian friends some of

the people I care about the most are

Colombian and they would completely

agree with me and they've lost tons of

people as well to the

violence so and they would not think

it's safe at all for foreigners to be

engaging in this type of activity so I'm

not trying to hate on them you know much

respect for the people but I just want

to come out and say it is what it is you

know and for me it's bad vibes because

it's just reminds me of some of the

people I love the most who ended up

getting killed you know or other things

happened to them too certain people who

I was close with as well and they're not

able to be around anymore so yeah man

it's it is what it is but go check it

out still and put your smart hat on or

if you want to be stupid and not think

about or worry about anything then go

somewhere else but but if you want to

have a challenge and be on your toes and

test yourself and it's all good it's

really good for you it keeps you feeling

alive I like that so yeah guys much

respect for watching