Police and the Santa Marta mayor’s office have offered up to $5 million for information leading to the recapture of 41 men who escaped during a riot at the Centro de Traslado por Protección in Santa Marta. The incident happened in the early hours of the October 12, 2026 holiday at the facility in the Santa Ana area. Authorities published a poster with the names and photographs of the fugitives and opened official phone channels to receive tips that help locate them. Officials urged the public not to intervene directly, saying it could put people’s safety at risk. The mayor’s office posted on X: “Ayúdanos a recapturar,” referring to “criminal actors fugados” from the center. The escape followed an internal protest by detainees. They complained about food, delays in their judicial processes, and other issues connected to pending freedom matters. The disturbance caused damage inside the center and ended with many detainees leaving custody. During the riot, some elements were set on fire, and riot-control units were brought in to regain control of the installations. After the situation was contained, authorities verified that 41 detainees had escaped. The search began across Santa Marta and nearby municipalities. Each report received through the posted contact numbers will be evaluated as part of intelligence and recapture efforts. President Abelardo de la Espriella said two of the fugitives were priorities. One is alias Mongolo, identified by authorities as a suspected member of Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada. Another is alias Johan, also known as Guajiro, whom the president linked to the killing of a police officer on October 31, 2025 in Ciénaga. The escape also triggered changes in the command structure of the Policía Metropolitana de Santa Marta. The president announced that Colonel Jeyson López would be called to retire services and that Colonel Olmer Urriago would temporarily take over, until Colonel Jimmy Belalcázar arrives as the new commander. As of the latest updates, the 41 escapees are at large and authorities are continuing searches based on public tips and intelligence work.