On May 24, the country learned of the death of Alexander Avendaño, the 22-year-old young man who drowned after falling into the water during a party aboard a planchón in the Peñol–Guatapé reservoir. The man’s cousin spoke out about the case.
In Medellín, this Monday, June 1, family and friends gathered to give the last farewell to the young man during his funeral services.
⚫🕊️Family and friends say goodbye to Alexander Avendaño in Guatapé.
The 22-year-old died on May 24. As the investigations progress, videos of the tragic moment have appeared and one of those involved gave her version of the events.
👉🏻We leave you more details… pic.twitter.com/vhm4zRhZiG
— EL TIEMPO (@ELTIEMPO) June 1, 2026
It is worth mentioning that, after several days of intense search work, The relief agencies confirmed the discovery of the lifeless body in the waters of the lake on May 30.
While forensic analyzes and the review of audiovisual material progress, The Prosecutor’s Office and the Police seek to establish if it was an accident or if there was intervention by third parties.
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In a statement issued by the entity, the Minister of Transportation, María Fernanda Rojas, said that “Security cannot be understood solely as compliance with documentary requirements. Each operator has the permanent obligation to guarantee the effective protection of passengers during the entire navigation. When people’s lives are at stake, there is no room for exceptions.”
María Fernanda Rojas, Minister of Transportation. Photo:John Pérez @Johnperez.23 | THE TIME
According to the statement, the vessel involved “had the documentation required by current regulations,” This information was verified by the competent authorities.
“Including navigation patent, technical inspection certificate, reported safety elements, maintenance plan and civil liability policies”, says the text.
What did Alexander Avendaño’s cousin say?
Authorities are also investigating whether there were criminal hands behind the young man’s death. Photo:Particular.
Luisa Fernanda Cano, cousin of the 22-year-old young man, told the newspaper What was there? that around 6:00 pm on that Sunday, May 24, the family received a call informing them that Avendaño had jumped into the dam.
However, through a video broadcast on social networks, They were able to find out to a certain extent what had really happened.
🔴The discovery of the body of Alexánder Avendaño Varela, 22, in the El Peñol-Guatapé reservoir opened new questions about the circumstances of his death.
What was initially investigated as a possible aquatic accident took another turn after the appearance of a… pic.twitter.com/LFZS8yl1PS
— EL TIEMPO (@ELTIEMPO) May 30, 2026
According to his story, the man was beaten after having an altercation with several people. In a video circulating in the digital ecosystem, a woman is heard shouting that he did not know how to swim. According to her testimony, she is the young man’s sister and, apparently, she was also physically attacked.
“A friend of theirs organized the boat and, since their little sister had a birthday, he paid her everything so she could go and celebrate her birthday there,” Avendaño’s cousin said about how they had gotten to the boat.
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Based on her version, this relative stated that it was an invitation that her cousin made to her sister.
Alexander Avendaño Case in Guatapé. Photo:SOCIAL NETWORKS
It is important to mention that after 120 continuous hours of work, the body was located. Henry Berrío, commander of the El Peñol Fire Department, explained that the discovery occurred thanks to the notice given by family members and community members who remained in the area.
According to what he indicated, once the body was sighted, the relief agencies came to carry out recovery and proceed to delivery to the competent authorities.
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Avendaño is remembered by his family as an extremely kind and good person, who worked in the construction area with his father.
“It seems very unfair to us because, no matter the situation, the solution was not to throw him away or mistreat him like they did. They say that he was threatening, one thing, another, but tell me if the solution was to take him and do that,” said the young man’s cousin, who demanded justice for the case.
Pedro A. Sánchez
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He had been implicated in the death of Avendaño. Photo:
