The latest figures on security in Bogota left a fact that made a difference in the midst of a crime that has historically been difficult to contain. According to the consolidated balance sheet by district authorities, extortion cases in the capital have fallen by 23% so far in 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Behind this reduction is a coordinated work involving the District Secretariat for Security, Coexistence and Justice (Sdscj), the Bogotá police and the Gaula. The measures range from a constant presence on the territory to direct attacks on criminal structures. The focus of the strategy, the authorities assured, was timely reporting and institutional support for victims.
You can now continue following us Facebook and in ours WhatsApp channel
One of the pillars of this offensive is strategy Combating crimethrough which the District prepares citizen security reports with detailed information on the networks dedicated to extortion, their spheres of influence and the most common modalities. These inputs are forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Department and the Attorney General’s Office to strengthen criminal investigations and prioritize operational measures.
This technical work is complemented by inter-institutional meetings involving various special units of the Bogotá Police, such as the Sijín, the Gaula and the Sipol. In these rooms, current information is exchanged, joint tours are coordinated and action plans are defined that focus on the areas where this crime has the greatest impact.
Local presence is also important. Through preventative and educational tours, authorities attempted to target traders, workers, and residents of areas with high traffic or with a history of harassment. The information provided by citizens during these sessions allows us to better understand the operation of the extortion dynamics, identify critical points and adapt institutional responses with greater territorial precision.
In parallel, as part of the Safe Districts strategy, activities are being carried out together with Gaula to promote supply routes and strengthen the importance of reporting. One of the focuses was to warn about the risks of resorting to informal credit systems such as the so-called “gota a gota”. a practice closely linked to networks of extortion and violence, particularly in commercial areas and popular neighborhoods.
The results of this articulation were not just numerical. In recent weeks, authorities have managed to capture 33 members of the Los Bautista criminal group, which is dedicated to blackmailing men and women through false profiles on digital platforms. The investigation made it possible to determine their modus operandi and reach their main perpetrators, as well as seize electronic devices and key evidence in order to prosecute them.
Another serious blow was the dismantling of Los Pepos, a structure that, from a prison center, used false profiles on social networks and the false encomienda method to demand sums of money ranging from 200,000 to 5 million pesos. Authorities said they also offered fake sexual services online and then contacted victims posing as public officials. They were told that they would have to deposit large sums of money to avoid alleged capture. These practices primarily affected merchants and citizens in urban areas.
Although the outcome is positive, the district emphasized that the reduction in extortion is not a final achievement. The continuity of actions in the territory, the strengthening of reporting and cooperation between institutions and citizens remain crucial to maintain the downward trend and prevent these criminal networks from reorganizing themselves in the city, especially in the digital environment.
About The Author
