A British tourist has passed away following a mugging incident while trekking along the Hill of Three Crosses trail near Medellín. The 34-year-old was allegedly struck on the head with the butt of a gun by the attackers, who stole his possessions. He was discovered severely injured at the base of the Hill of Three Crosses two days after he went missing. The victim was first taken to a nearby health center before being transported to Medellín's General Hospital in critical condition. Despite receiving life-saving surgery, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, just before noon. While other hikers have reported feeling secure while hiking the same trail, they advise against trekking late in the day when the area begins to grow dark.

Hill of Three Crosses

The Hill of Three Crosses trail is a steep but short hike that can be completed in under an hour. The trail begins at the base of the hill and ascends through a mostly open grassy terrain. Once at the top, there is a small square with three crosses that denote the peak.

Residents of the Las Lomas No. 2 neighborhood in El Poblado are concerned about the Mantua building, which was evacuated in 2013 due to construction flaws and pending reinforcement. The 14-story and five-basement construction is now being occupied despite not yet having undergone the required reinforcement, according to neighbors who claim that it is being used as an Airbnb. Although the administration denies the claim, several apartments are furnished and even have rental ads on the internet. The building, at first glance, appears uninhabited, but there is movement from early morning, with several vehicles entering the parking lot and some apartments having open windows, installed curtains, and even laundry hanging out. The evacuation of the building in 2013 was due to insufficient structural processes and a lack of compliance with seismic resistance standards, among other reasons. Currently, there is a license for structural reinforcement, which remains pending.

Beginning Monday, January 13, 2025, Medellín will reactivate its "Pico y Placa" vehicle restriction policy. This measure, aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion, applies to Medellín and the surrounding metropolitan area. The restrictions will follow the same schedule and rules as in the latter half of 2024.

Key Details of the 2025 Measure

• Schedule: Monday to Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Applicability:
• For private vehicles, restrictions are based on the last digit of the license plate.
• For motorcycles, restrictions are determined by the first digit of the plate. Only 2- and 4-stroke motorcycles are affected.
• Exemptions: Vehicles powered by cleaner technologies, such as electric, hybrid, and natural gas vehicles, are exempt, provided their transit license is up to date.

Fines and Enforcement

Drivers violating the "Pico y Placa" restrictions will face a fine equivalent to 15 daily minimum wages (SMLDV), approximately $711,750 COP for 2024. Additional costs may arise if the vehicle is impounded, including towing and storage fees.

Rotation from January 13, 2025

• Monday Plates ending in 0 and 2.
• Tuesday: Plates ending in 6 and 9.
• Wednesday: Plates ending in 3 and 7.
• Thursday: Plates ending in 4 and 8.
• Friday: Plates ending in 1 and 5.

Example: If your license plate ends in 0, you are not allowed to drive your vehicle in Medellín on Mondays between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Important Notes

1. There will be no educational grace period; enforcement begins immediately.
2. The policy does not apply on weekends or public holidays.
3. Taxis follow a biweekly rotation schedule that has been in place since 2016.

Exemptions for Clean Technology Vehicles

Electric, hybrid, and natural gas-powered vehicles are exempt from the "Pico y Placa" restrictions. The exemption is automatically verified through the National Traffic Registry (RUNT), requiring no additional paperwork from drivers. This system ensures faster processing and avoids unnecessary delays for eligible vehicles.

Upcoming Updates

In February 2025, the Medellín municipality will announce updated rotation rules for the "Pico y Placa" restrictions, which will be effective for the first semester of the year.