A Guide to Robberies: What You Need to Know

Heed this advice – it could save your life. At the least, it’ll ensure that your safety is optimized whilst experiencing Medellin. Here’s my guide on robberies in Medellin

By Kaveh Paymayesh

November 27, 2021
3:46 pm

Given the prevalence of robberies in Medellin, I think it’s appropriate to dedicate an article on how to optimize your safety and wellbeing.

We can do this by breaking the matter down into two key sections:

Victim prevention

Don't allow yourself to become a victim

Victim response

NO! You're a victim -- what you must and must not do

This guide assumes that readers will not be engaging in higher-risk activities. I am referring chiefly to drug use, prostitution, promiscuous dating apps (Tinder)…

If you will be, then know that your chances of being robbed are increased – greater precautions will need to be taken. Find out more here!

Robbery prevention - how to minimize the risk

ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings
Don't give PAPAYA
Minimize time spent in secluded/quiet areas

Always be aware of your surroundings

When walking, be aware of your surroundings at all times – make a habit of looking behind/around you.

Things can change, threats can emerge, in a matter of SECONDS.

I say this not to scare you. In North America and Europe, we (especially men) take this for granted. We’re not used to being so vigilant.

The reality here is that if you let certain characters close, they then have the opportunity to engage you.

Don’t give them that opportunity.

If you’re aware of your surroundings, if you’re taking visual stock of what’s going on, you won’t allow that to happen.

Checking your 6 isn’t difficult to make habit of, and doing so can save your butt.

Just trust me on this one – if you aren’t used to regularly checking your back already – make sure you start!

Don't give PAPAYA

A common Colombian expression; one that I’m sure you’ve heard already.

Papaya is a delicious fruit – the assumption is that people will take it if on display.

Kind of a weird expression the more I think about it. In essence, if you’ve got your goods out for the world to see – expect them to be fair game for robbers and thieves.

I know, it’s bull**** – why do these mugs think that they’re entitled to our possessions simply because they carry firearms?

It doesn’t matter though. That’s just how it goes in Colombia…

Don’t give yourself a reason to be robbed: Filming, flashing your possessions, wearing jewellery. These are all examples of giving papaya.

Guys, it is so easy for somebody to fly by on a bike and pinch whatever you’re holding. Once that happens, what you gonna do? Nothing.

Where we’re from, the cellphone culture is strong. We’ve all been guilty of being more attentive to our phones than our surroundings. We take it for granted.

In Medellin, you CAN use your phone in public. In fact, over time you may get comfortable doing so – that’s because you’ll most likely be fine.

BUT, your chances of being victim to a robbery do increase.

Cellphone robberies are popular in Medellin.

Case Study:

Breakdown:

The victim was unperceptive of his surroundings

The unsuspecting victim was really unfortunate. Though not FULLY preoccupied with his phone, he failed to clock onto the man approaching him. As I mentioned, dangers can emerge within seconds.

The less visual you are of your surroundings, the more likely this it to happen.

Ripe papaya on display

As mentioned already, using your phone in public is putting yourself at risk. It doesn’t mean you’re likely to get robbed. Not necessarily. But, your chances do increase significantly.

Victim was compliant; he didn't resist

Sounds stupid to do anything else, right? Well, there are people who have resisted and consequently been shot/stabbed. The victim did everything he could to make the robbery as smooth as possible.

Minimize time in secluded, quiet areas

Again – I’m NOT saying to avoid these secluded areas. I like being alone. Some of my best zen moments have been in quiet places. However, I know that in these moments my chances of being robbed are higher.

You too should be aware of this. Anytime you are somewhere secluded, weigh up the increased vulnerability and ask yourself: is it worth it?

That should be personable to you. I’ve walked down dark, quiet roads, alone, many times. Nothing ever happened.

Each time though, I made that decision, I accepted that potential outcome, I weighed up the risk. It was a personal decision that many others wouldn’t take themselves.

Each time you are in a quiet place – BE VIGILANT. Apply the last two tips discussed:

Check your surroundings, regularly
Don’t give any papaya

DON'T worry too much about blending in...

This is where my opinion may conflict with that of other advisors.

Yes – I do think it’s important to integrate. But for reasons other than safety. Colombians tend to find bare feet unflattering. I therefore wince every time I see us foreigners sporting flip-flops. I get it, they’re comfortable. They’re just not very becoming…

How do Paisas (locals) dress? They like to wear actual clothes, not beach attire. A nice shirt, jeans…

I know, I also love sporting shorts; they’re just so much nicer than trousers in the warmth.

However, you’ll only find Colombians wearing shorts on Sundays – the casual day to wear whatever.

''I've heard people advise blending in to be less conspicuous...''

My response is, why try to blend in when:

The prevalence of Colombians getting robbed is higher than that of foreigners
Blending in isn’t possible for most foreigners – if you’re 6ft+, that makes you at least 5 inches taller than the average Colombian man. Blonde? Well, you get my drift.

Don’t worry about it – we foreigners do indeed receive ‘love’ from thieves – but in more or less equal measure to the locals.

Many believe that we’re targets because of our perceived wealth.

Yes, this is partially true. We’re more susceptible to panhandling, scams, getting drugged, malicious women, etc…

But as I say, the prevalence of foreigners getting robbed is lower than that of locals.

Perhaps, and this is just conjecture: these crooks know that foreigners are privileged.

Colombia is working hard to shed its shoddy perception and welcome in more tourism. What does that mean for these thugs?

Robbing foreigners is a riskier business than robbing locals.

What to do in the case of robbery

Let’s keep this simple. There’s only one thing you need to do. Make sure you have it ingrained into your fight-or-flight response:

Would you be willing to die?

For your phone? How about $5,000?

Are you willing to endure a life-changing injury; paralysis…?

No. I’m not. No material is worth more than me.

People that resist robberies do get killed here, or even worse, left with life-changing injuries.

If you’re being held up, never resist. Just give it up – whatever it is…

Honestly, out here they will kill you for your phone.

Believe it or not, these perpetrators don’t want to be violent. BUT, they will dispatch you if need be. If you become an impediment then it’s easier for them to have you dead and out the way. Cold & reptilian, but that’s how it is.

It’s hard to comprehend, but these crooks just want your possessions. They endure very tough lives; lives that shape them to become cold and psychopathic. They’re capable of killing without hatred, without emotion – just as a farmer would kill his livestock.

Pretty wild sh** – I love Medellin and feel incredibly comfortable here. But, that’s because I know the deal. I heed my own advice.

I too have an ego, I’m also tall standing at 6ft 1 – yet I still know where I stand. I know that if the day comes where I’m being robbed, that it’ll be service with a smile. I’ll do everything I can to make the robbery as fluid, easy, and comfortable as possible.

That won’t be hard because I’m willing to say goodbye to any of the possessions that I take out on the streets.

I’m aware and psychologically prepared. Make sure you are too.

Robberies in Medellin are a daily reality.

The good news/the silver lining

Things are generally predictable here; the same cannot be said about the US.

Yes, robberies in Medellin are commonplace, but being prepared for them means that you don’t need to (for the most part) fear for your safety.

In the US, violence is often random and without a coherent motive. You’re more likely to be randomly gunned down in the US than you are in Colombia.

5 minutes from my cousin’s house in Orlando – was the site of America’s largest mass-homicide in recent history. 100 people were shot for no reason; 50 were shot dead.

America produces a lot of mass shootings, which aren’t a common feature here. Even in England, whenever I’m in London, I fear for my safety. Our terror threat is currently on max alert.

I’ve never felt that kind of insecurity in Medellin. Robberies are predictable and formulaic. That’s why it is so important to get clued up.

…and that’s a wrap. I hope you enjoyed this guide on Robberies in Medellin.