Logo

Terrorism

U.S. citizen arrested during protests in Bogota

María Elizabeth Giulanalli has been studying in Colombia for several years and her stay in the country will depend on the judge’s decision

By John Palomino

April 29, 2022 5:24pm

Updated: April 29, 2022 5:44pm

Colombian police arrested a U.S. citizen on Thursday during protests in Bogota commemorating the first anniversary of the beginning of the national strike.

The American arrested is a political science student from the private University of Los Andes who arrived in the country in 2019. According to police authorities, she participated "in the attack against members of the National Police by throwing different artifacts at them."

María Elizabeth Giulianelli, 22, was arrested by agents of the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (Esmad), reported Colombian media El Tiempo.

"She was captured in the city of Bogota precisely when they were attacking police officers," said the director of the National Police, General Jorge Luis Vargas.

"I am a foreigner, I am from the United States. I am a student," shouted the young woman as she was arrested amid other demonstrators, some journalists, and alleged human rights defenders, reported Semana.

Along with the young American woman, two other women of Colombian nationality were also arrested for allegedly damaging street furniture and assaulting public officials.

Giulanalli, who has been studying in Colombia for several years, lives in Golden, Colorado, but her family is from California. The young woman must appear before a judge who will be in charge of determining whether she will be tried in Colombia or deported to the United States, reported Blu Radio.

On Friday morning, Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg said that they are already aware of this case and that the U.S. Embassy is in charge of the situation, without giving further details, reported Pulzo.

Last year, German Rebecca Marlene Sprößer was expelled from the country, accused of allegedly participating in the self-styled "front line" of the Cali riots, reported El Tiempo.

Related Articles

The latest