Authorities installed a joint work table to stop illegal construction on the Quitasol de Bello hill. Photo: Archive
So profitable is the subdivision and illegal construction that the Criminal gangs sell finished houses on Cerro Quitasol. They do it as if they were a competitive real estate company. In addition to the lot, which they obtain by destroying the protected area, They offer houses with different architectural designs and finishes, if the client requires it and if the money is enough for them.
Although the authorities are not clear how much money they would be generating the criminal structures with the illegal practice, nor how much they would be selling the lots or the houses, the complaints from the community show that the income is in the millions.
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It is said that A lot, depending on the area and how far it is from the legal urbanized zone, can cost between 10 or 15 million pesos, while a finished house could exceed 28 million.
Criminals also offer water and electricity services, which they obtain with illegal connections that affect legally constituted neighborhoods.
As if that were not enough, They would be hiring people from illegal settlements to work not only in the construction of houses, but also to adapt improvised sewers which, ultimately, will lead to the water sources of the hill, considered a lung of the Aburrá Valley.
Joint work between authorities
According to José Rolando Serrano Jaramillo, Secretary of Security and Citizen Coexistence of Bello, The problem has been increasing in the last two years. For this reason, in the last security council they had with the Government of Antioquia, support was requested to control and stop, once and for all, the criminal practice that is destroying the largest tutelary hill in the metropolitan area.
“We began to design strategies, jus, to contain this irregular construction and we are very happy because From the Government we are going to articulate. “We must put an end to these constructions,” the official explained.
The governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián Rendón Cardona, assured that an urgent plan must be undertaken to protect Quitasol Hill.
“A call and a special action that we have to undertake is the protection of Cerro Quitasol in the municipality of Bello. There is a great operational and judicial work to be done there. Put those responsible for the destruction of this great environmental asset in jail and, especially, to those who are deceiving humble families, selling them lots where they cannot build,” said the president.
Investigation against criminal gangs that sell houses on Cerro Quitasol
While the authorities define the strategies they will carry out to stop the irregular expansion on the hill declared in 2019 as a protected area, Secretary Serrano assured that Operations and tours will continue to identify and capture those who are carrying out illegal constructions.
It recognizes, however, that it is necessary for the Prosecutor’s Office to advance in the investigations to identify and capture gang leaders who profit from illicit activitybecause the detainees, for the most part, are hired by the same criminal structures and, in many cases, are “humble people who are just working.”
Environmental damage
Corantioquia, for its part, assured that illegal subdivision or any land use that is not compatible with the management plans of protected areas generates, in itself, damage to biodiversity, either because deforestation or soil loss occurs. , contamination due to poor management of solid waste or direct discharges into water sources.
In the case of Cerro Quitasol, they assured that, from the corporation, They advance a management plan that will determine a zoning of permitted and non-permitted uses. “wanting to seek conservation of this biodiversity and generating alternatives for the conservation of this hill that is important for the Metropolitan Valley of Aburrá.”
2024-11-28 18:04:00
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How are organized criminal groups illegally capitalizing on Cerro Quitasol?
## Interview: Fighting Illegal Construction on Cerro Quitasol
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we delve into a serious issue plaguing the Bello municipality: the illegal construction and land-grabbing activities on Cerro Quitasol. Joining us today is the Secretary of Security and Citizen Coexistence of Bello, José Rolando Serrano Jaramillo, to shed light on this critical situation. Secretary Serrano, thank you for joining us.
**Secretary Serrano:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial we raise awareness about this pressing problem.
**Host:** Let’s paint a picture for our viewers. What exactly is happening on Cerro Quitasol?
**Secretary Serrano:** This once protected hill is being systematically destroyed by organized criminal groups. They are illegally subdividing land, constructing houses, and even offering utilities like water and electricity through illicit means.
**Host:** This sounds alarming. Are they openly selling these properties?
**Secretary Serrano:** Incredibly, yes. These groups operate almost like real estate developers, offering various designs and finishes for the houses, depending on a client’s budget. The community reports that lots can fetch between 10 to 15 million pesos, while completed houses could exceed 28 million.
**Host:** That’s staggering. What are authorities doing to address this situation?
**Secretary Serrano:** This problem has escalated rapidly in the last two years. We recently called upon the Antioquia Government for support, and we’d like to express our gratitude for their commitment to tackling this issue head-on.
**Host:** What specific actions are being considered?
**Secretary Serrano:** We’re developing multi-pronged strategies. This includes strengthening our operational presence, focusing on intelligence gathering to dismantle these criminal networks, and pursuing legal avenues to hold those responsible accountable.
**Host:** Governor Rendón also mentioned urgent plans to protect Cerro Quitasol. What can the community expect?
**Secretary Serrano:** We’re working closely with Governor Rendón’s office to develop a comprehensive plan. This will involve a collaborative effort between local authorities, the national government, and the community to protect this vital green space.
**Host:** Thank you, Secretary Serrano, for providing us with insight into this complex issue. We wish you and your team success in defending Cerro Quitasol.
**Secretary Serrano:** Thank you. We are committed to restoring the integrity of this precious natural resource [1].
