They denounce the 'curfew' imposed by gangs in Soledad: the councilor says that the inhabitants are locked up from 8 pm

In the neighborhood of Porvenir, located in Soledad, a municipality within the metropolitan area of Barranquilla, residents have reportedly been forced into a self-imposed curfew starting at 8 p.m., according to allegations made by local councilman Bryan Orozco. The restrictions are not imposed by municipal authorities or police, but rather by rival criminal gangs vying for control over the territory. Orozco claims that businesses have closed early, residents have taken refuge in their homes, and venturing outside after 8 p.m. poses a risk. The situation has escalated with five murders recorded in eight days, according to Orozco, who alleges that commercial operators are being extorted by both groups. He stated that the population is effectively under a de facto curfew, with individuals compelled to comply with rules set by these gangs. Orozco, a member of the Cambio Radical party and a councilor since 2012, shared his concerns through social media, highlighting the growing danger faced by locals. This claim comes amid efforts by authorities to establish the new Metropolitan Police of Soledad and Malambo (MESYM), which was officially launched in June. This force is presented as a key institutional response to the rising incidents of homicide, extortion, and gang-related conflicts affecting both municipalities. However, Orozco points out a contradiction: while more police presence and specialized units are being introduced, some areas remain under the influence of organized crime. Orozco suggests that the conflict stems from a territorial dispute between members of the group known as "Los Costeños" and another unknown criminal structure. According to him, the situation has reached a critical point where some merchants and workers have begun to accept extortion payments as part of daily life. He described how locals have become accustomed to paying bribes, with some even expressing relief that they can at least pay one group instead of facing threats from two. The issue of extortion has significantly impacted commerce in Soledad. Orozco argues that victims find themselves caught between opposing organizations, where paying one does not guarantee safety from the other. In some cases, he says, compliance might even increase the risk of harm. The councilman criticizes the lack of institutional presence in the city, suggesting that this vacuum allows such structures to exert control over citizens' movements. Soledad, a city without mountains or forests, is described by Orozco as a territory that should be manageable yet remains vulnerable due to insufficient law enforcement. He holds the authorities accountable for allowing criminal organizations to gain ground. One particularly sensitive aspect of the allegations involves motorcycle riders, a common mode of transportation throughout the municipality. Orozco claims that certain vehicles serve as tools for surveillance and territorial control, identifiable by flags. These motorcycles, he asserts, help determine which individuals have paid the required fees and which have not, thereby enforcing the gangs’ demands.