A tourist who appeared to be intoxicated damaged a sculpture in Cartagena over the recent holiday weekend, sparking outrage on social media and prompting local authorities to demand that she pay for the damage.
The incident occurred in Trinidad Square, in the traditional Getsemani neighborhood of the Colombian Caribbean tourist destination, one of the busiest areas for residents and visitors in the city’s historic center.
Videos circulating on social media helped identify the woman, who, according to Cartagena Mayor Dumek Turbay, lives in Barranquilla. The footage shows the visitor leaning on one of the figures while dancing until the sculpture fell to the ground.
Tourist suspected of being intoxicated damages sculpture in Cartagena
The incident took place in Trinidad Square, an iconic public space in Getsemani known for its festive atmosphere, street musicians and dancers, and large crowds of tourists, particularly on weekends and during peak travel seasons.
According to videos shared online, the woman was dancing in the plaza when she grabbed one of the sculptures installed there. As she leaned against the figure, it fell to the ground, surprising people nearby.
The tourist, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, subsequently left the scene with her companions. The footage spread rapidly, prompting widespread criticism from social media users, who questioned her behavior and called for measures to protect works of art installed in Cartagena’s public spaces.
The recording also helped authorities reconstruct what happened and identify the person responsible after the case gained visibility and came to the attention of district officials.
Mayor Dumek Turbay responded to the circulation of the videos by asking for help identifying the woman. He also criticized her conduct following the incident, saying she had left without taking responsibility for the damage.
“Instead of facing up to what happened, showing a willingness to restore [the sculpture] and make amends for the damage, she paid to attack us on social media. The money she spent on the more than 2,000 bots identified by our cybersecurity team, which she hired to escape the unanimous public backlash, could have been used to repair the artwork,” the mayor said in a post on his X account.
He later confirmed that the woman had been identified and lived in Barranquilla, the capital of the department of Atlantico. The district administration is demanding that she cover the costs resulting from the damage, while the extent of the damage and the steps required to restore the sculpture are being assessed.
La turista que se colgó y tumbó la figura del Cura Umaña, en la Plaza de La Trinidad, en Getsemaní, ya está plenamente identificada, reside en Barranquilla.
Pero en vez de dar la cara, tener la voluntad de restaurarla y resarcir el daño, lo que hizo fue pagar para atacarnos en redes sociales. El dinero que usó para los más 2 mil boots que identificó nuestro equipo de ciberseguridad y que contrató para zafarse de la «funa» unánime, hubiese servido para reparar la obra.
Es que uno llega a un destino turístico es a disfrutar de él, a contemplarlo, a gozar, a bailar, a reír, no a dañar el mobiliario urbano ni sus monumentos.
Este martes a primera hora, llegaremos a Getsemaní con el maestro Óscar Noriega a evaluar el daño. Ambos, el Cura y Pedro Romero, serán retirados para su mantenimiento y restauración, no sin antes aclarar que ya en noviembre de 2024, tras años sin ser atendidos, habían sido restaurados, tal como lo hemos hecho con todos los bustos, estatuas, monumentos y esculturas del #CentroHistórico y sus áreas de influencia.
Buenas tardes y feliz festivo.
— Dumek Turbay Paz (@dumek_turbay) October 12, 2026
Tied to the history of Cartagena
The damaged figure depicts priest Jorge Enrique Umaña and is part of the sculptural ensemble installed in Trinidad Square, a site closely linked to the history of Getsemani and its role in Cartagena’s independence movement.
The square also features representations of Pedro Romero, one of the popular leaders associated with the independence movement, and a drummer who symbolizes the call for residents to join the fight for freedom.
The significance of these figures goes beyond their decorative purpose. They serve as elements of historical memory in a neighborhood that played a significant role in the events leading to Cartagena’s declaration of independence on Nov. 11, 1811.
For this reason, the incident drew particular condemnation from those who believe historical heritage should be treated in a manner that reflects its cultural and symbolic value.
Following the incident, Turbay announced that the figures of Jorge Enrique Umaña and Pedro Romero would be removed for maintenance and restoration. The work will allow their condition to be assessed and the necessary repairs to be determined.
The sculptures, made of resin and fiberglass and finished with a bronze patina, had been restored by visual artist Nora Luz Quintana and reinstalled in November 2024 as part of the commemorative events marking Cartagena’s independence.