BTN News: In recent times, a troubling phenomenon has emerged in Santa Marta, where captured criminals are frequently seen grinning in their police mugshots, which are then disseminated to the media. What should be moments of regret or anxiety for those facing the consequences of their actions have instead turned into scenes of nonchalance, almost as if the legal process is merely a formality. These images, often accompanying official press releases, feature detainees—many of them repeat offenders—exuding a level of calm that has left the community deeply unsettled.
The underlying reason for this disturbing trend, according to Freddy Gómez, a well-known lawyer from Santa Marta, lies in the criminals’ deep understanding of the Colombian penal system, which they perceive as being ineffectual. “They know the system too well,” Gómez explained. “They aren’t worried because they know that the time it takes for authorities to chase, find, and arrest them is often shorter than the time it takes for them to regain their freedom and return to their criminal activities.” This sentiment is echoed by many citizens who have witnessed the same offenders returning to the streets, seemingly unfazed by the legal repercussions.
A recent example underscores this grim reality: Anthony Rosales, infamously known as ‘Agua de Panela,’ was once again apprehended by the police barely a month after being arrested for theft. Despite being labeled by authorities as a dangerous criminal who terrorizes the communities of Ciénaga and Santa Marta, Rosales has repeatedly managed to secure his release shortly after facing a judge. His latest arrest, which occurred during a police operation on the Troncal del Caribe, saw him and three accomplices—Adolfo Pérez, alias Menor; Luis Hernández, alias Culebra; and Freddy Maestre—being caught with a firearm and ammunition. Yet, despite the seriousness of their offenses, the mugshots of the suspects showed them with expressions of calm, as if they had little to fear from their detention.
The public’s reaction to these images has been one of frustration and anger. Many residents see these pictures as emblematic of a justice system that fails to keep dangerous criminals off the streets. The sense of impunity is heightened by the fact that these individuals, like Rosales, who was previously recorded taunting a bystander during an earlier arrest, appear confident that they will soon be free to resume their unlawful activities.
Social media has been abuzz with commentary on the most recent arrest of Rosales. Users have openly questioned the effectiveness of the judicial system, expressing concern for the safety of their communities. “It’s alarming that someone as dangerous as this continues to be released. His cold and smiling face, along with those of his accomplices, shows that he’s capable of anything. We can only hope that this time he remains behind bars,” one user lamented.
Despite the relentless efforts of the police to curb the criminal activities of Rosales and his cohorts, the fear among the populace persists. The likelihood that these individuals could be back on the streets at any moment continues to fuel a sense of insecurity in Santa Marta. The calm demeanor of the captured criminals only reinforces the perception that the city’s judicial system offers little resistance to their ongoing criminal enterprises.
