Medellín was recognized internationally as a city committed to combating crime and the recruitment of young people by criminal organizations. Mayor Federico Gutiérrez received the Award for Crime Reduction and Youth Opportunity, presented by the Inter-American Dialogue, during the 2026 Leadership for the Americas Awards gala, held at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C.
The award highlights the city’s prevention model and, in particular, the Parceros program—a strategy designed to reach young people before criminal groups do and offer them new options so they can build lawful lives for themselves.
This recognition holds very special significance. Through Parceros, we are taking young people away from criminal organizations and giving them real opportunities to get ahead. Since 2024, we have served more than 12,400 “parceros.” Many of them are already studying, working, and building their lives within the law. This award belongs to them—our “parceros”—and to all of Medellín. We will continue working to ensure that our children and youth have opportunities and can build the future they deserve,” said the mayor.
Medellín’s approach is not only to apprehend criminals and combat criminal organizations; it is also to prevent them from continuing to recruit children, adolescents, and young people to bolster their illegal operations. Through Parceros, the District Administration addresses risk factors by providing psychosocial support, life skills training, and access to education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Since 2024, the program has achieved milestones such as 9,211 young graduates, 1,318 participants who have secured employment, and more than 90 companies that have joined as partners.
The impact evaluation of the Parceros program shows positive results: 61.6% of participants improved their emotional regulation, there was a 23% reduction in criminal behavior, and a 15% increase in formal employment among them. Symptoms of anxiety and depression also decreased by 7%, and the intention to continue studying increased by 9%.
The award-winning strategy brings educational opportunities and access to employment to new generations so they can build their own life plans.
With this recognition, the city has now earned 10 international awards between 2024 and 2026, under the leadership of ACI Medellín, for initiatives such as Parceros, Corredores Verdes, Ciudadanía Lab, access to drinking water, and food security—all of which highlight public innovation and the well-being of its residents. The recognition received in Washington also showcases the District’s work in global forums for cooperation and discussion on hemispheric security.
The District Administration will continue to strengthen Parceros and expand its prevention strategies. In 2026, the Parceritas program was launched, aimed at girls between the ages of 10 and 15 to prevent their recruitment and exposure to situations of sexual exploitation, and 13 youth groups of Parceros Graduados were created. The goal is to increasingly close off spaces for criminal structures and demonstrate that offering opportunities, restoring trust, and building life plans are also ways to combat crime.
