Medellín Reborn (A)

In 2003, mathematics professor Sergio Fajardo was elected mayor of Medellín, Colombia—one of the most violent cities in the world at that time. As mayor, Fajardo faced a host of daunting challenges. Rampant gang violence had raised Medellín’s homicide rate dramatically, and a history of corruption had undermined the public’s trust in the local government and law enforcement institutions. The under-resourced local police did not communicate clearly with the mayor, and the city was approaching bankruptcy. To address these concerns, Fajardo would need to not only develop a strategy, but also convince the majority of his 21-member city council—among whom he had only one ally—to support it. Fajardo needed to decide how to prioritize the many financial, legal, and cultural concerns in Medellín to bring the city closer to peace and prosperity.