Medellin’s ‘Pentagon of Security’ Reaches 36% Completion Ahead of Shield of the Americas Role

Medellin's C5i, the planned security and emergency control center, is 36% complete and set to open in June 2027. Known locally as the "Pentagon of Security," the structure will house Colombia's headquarters for the U.S.-led Shield of the Americas security initiative. Located in central Medellin, the center spans 18,000 square meters and stands 39 meters tall.

The project, exceeding 205 billion Colombian pesos in investment, will integrate various security functions under one roof, featuring AI, video analytics, cybersecurity systems, a data center, and a drone vertiport. The C5i consolidates the Metropolitan Integrated Emergency and Security System, the Metropolitan Police's Automated Dispatch Center, and other security-related spaces.

Originally conceived as a municipal security complex, the facility now includes the Colombian headquarters for the Shield of the Americas, an international initiative focused on combating drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations. The 36% completion mark represents an improvement from the 25% reported in late July, with construction expected to continue into the first half of 2027, leading to a June 2027 opening.