RIONEGRO, COLOMBIA (May 1, 2026) — Colombian National Police officials said a former New Rochelle teacher was taken into protective custody and transferred to a holding facility in Rionegro after authorities responded to reports and “behavior contrary to public coexistence,” according to an official written response issued by airport police.
The response from Capt. Ana María Hernández Giraldo, commander of the José María Córdova International Airport police station in Rionegro, dated May 1, 2026, was issued in reply to an April 12, 2026 inquiry from Talk of the Sound and states that officers acted after receiving “various citizen reports and alerts circulating on social media indicating that the integrity of the foreign citizen McVey could be at risk.”
In an April 12, 2026 email, Talk of the Sound asked the National Police of Colombia’s Antioquia Department to comment on a first-person account by Samuel McVey describing his detention and release in the Medellín area.
The inquiry outlined McVey’s claims that he was taken into protective custody at the airport police station on April 8, held overnight, and later transferred to a migration office in Belén before being released.
Talk of the Sound asked police to confirm or correct those claims, including his detention, release, and movements, and requested any available records such as incident reports, arrest documentation, or booking photographs, or guidance on how to obtain them.
Police said they applied “a corrective measure due to behavior contrary to public coexistence” and, “in order to safeguard and protect his life and integrity,” transferred him “for protective purposes to a protective custody center located in the municipality of Rionegro, Antioquia.”
The statement, issued in Spanish by the National Police of Colombia’s Antioquia Department and translated into English, was provided in response to a formal inquiry about events involving Samuel McVey.
Authorities said that “in large part, the events described correspond to reality,” but did not confirm the full sequence of movements described in the inquiry, including any transfer to or from a migration office in Belén or details of his release.
Police disputed a claim that officers told McVey he could be harmed by paramilitary or criminal groups, stating “no such statement was made.” Officials said officers “acted under the principle of safeguarding his integrity and life” and explained the reasons for their decisions at the time.
The response cites Colombian law, including Law 1755 of 2015 governing the right of petition and Law 1801 of 2016, the National Code of Security and Coexistence, stating that actions were taken within a legal framework that prioritizes “the protection and respect for human rights” and the “peaceful resolution of situations that may affect public order.”
Police declined to provide supporting records, including “incident report, arrest report, [or] booking photo,” stating that the institution “is not authorized to directly provide documents supporting institutional actions,” particularly when they involve a private individual and the requester is not the subject of the records.
The statement was signed by Capt. Ana María Hernández Giraldo, commander of the airport police station.
Addendum: What Colombian Police Confirmed vs. Disputed
In its written response, the National Police of Colombia provided partial confirmation of events involving Samuel McVey, while declining to address or document certain details.
Confirmed by police:
- Officers responded to “various citizen reports and alerts circulating on social media.”
- Authorities applied “a corrective measure due to behavior contrary to public coexistence.”
- McVey was transferred “for protective purposes to a protective custody center” in Rionegro.
- Police stated their actions were intended to “safeguard and protect his life and integrity.”
- Officials said “in large part, the events described correspond to reality.”
Disputed by police:
- Police rejected claims that officers warned McVey that paramilitary or criminal groups could harm him, stating “no such statement was made.”
Not confirmed or declined:
- Any transfer to or from a migration office in Belén.
- Details regarding McVey’s release.
- Whether an arrest occurred, with police instead describing a “corrective measure.”
- Any documentation, including incident reports, arrest reports, or booking photographs, which police said they are not authorized to provide to third parties.
Official Colombian Police Response to Talk of the Sound Inquiry (May 1, 2026)
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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