Timeline
February 17, 2026 — February 22, 2026
World
Timeline: The Kevin Acosta Case and Colombia's Health Crisis Over 6 Days
The death of 7-year-old Kevin Arley Acosta Pico, who had hemophilia and died after not receiving medication for two months, sparked a national controversy in Colombia about the healthcare system. What began as a tragic case evolved into political battles, investigations, criminal inquiries, and a censure motion against the Health Minister, revealing deep structural problems in Colombia's health system.
15 events · 5 days · 26 source articles
Sun, Feb 8, 2026
Major
Kevin Acosta dies after bicycle accident
Seven-year-old Kevin Arley Acosta Pico, diagnosed with severe hemophilia A, dies following a traumatic brain injury from a bicycle accident. According to his family, he had not received his essential medication (Emicizumab/Hemlibra) for approximately two months due to healthcare system failures. His mother denounces that he died waiting for medication that never arrived.
Fri, Feb 13, 2026
Moderate
Official death date recorded in Bogotá
Kevin Acosta's death is officially recorded on February 13, 2026, in Bogotá, following complications from his condition and the bicycle accident. The discrepancy in dates (February 8 vs 13) appears in different reports, but the case begins gaining public attention as his mother speaks out about alleged negligence.
Mon, Feb 16, 2026
Major
Health Minister Jaramillo calls case 'understandable' during cabinet meeting
During a cabinet meeting on Monday, February 16, Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo addresses Kevin's case, calling it 'unfortunate' but 'understandable' for children with hemophilia who suffer cranial trauma. He also claims the Petro government has made the largest health investment in recent years, sparking immediate backlash.
Tue, Feb 17, 2026
Major
Nueva EPS releases technical report blaming accident and portability process
Nueva EPS issues a detailed technical report asserting that Kevin's death resulted from severe traumatic brain injury, not treatment interruption. The insurer acknowledges a delay in January medication delivery but attributes it to a portability process requested by the family. The EPS claims it guaranteed prophylactic treatment with Factor VIII every 28 days from October 2019 to December 2025.
Tue, Feb 17, 2026
Moderate
Opposition politicians criticize government response
Representative Jennifer Pedraza criticizes the government's handling of the health crisis, questioning the Minister's claims about health investments while the reality shows deteriorating services, medication delays, and increased tutelas (legal petitions). The case becomes a national controversy and symbol of healthcare system failures.
Wed, Feb 18, 2026
Moderate
Government accused of blaming the family
Political controversy intensifies as critics accuse the government of blaming Kevin's family for his death through references to the portability process and the bicycle accident. Medical experts and patient organizations begin pointing to systemic failures rather than individual circumstances as the root cause.
Thu, Feb 19, 2026
Major
Supersalud announces audit of Nueva EPS
The National Health Superintendency (Supersalud) announces a focused audit on Kevin's care process, examining administrative barriers and medication delivery by Nueva EPS. The institution acknowledges this case highlights persistent challenges in timely healthcare provision, particularly access to essential medications for rare diseases like hemophilia.
Thu, Feb 19, 2026
Major
202 patient organizations file criminal complaint against Health Minister
Pacientes Colombia, representing 202 patient organizations, files a criminal complaint against Health Minister Jaramillo for allegedly committing fraud against judicial resolutions by failing to comply with Constitutional Court orders requiring sufficient resources to ensure health system sustainability and access to care.
Thu, Feb 19, 2026
Major
Prosecutor's Office opens investigation into possible omissions
The Colombian Prosecutor's Office (FiscalÃa) begins investigating possible omissions in Kevin's case, examining the two-month period without treatment. The case becomes the public face of the health crisis amid liquidity problems affecting major EPS providers, several of which are under government intervention.
Thu, Feb 19, 2026
Moderate
Senator Paloma Valencia announces disciplinary complaint
Presidential candidate and senator Paloma Valencia announces she will file a disciplinary complaint against the Health Minister. The controversy intensifies after President Petro publicly disclosed details from Kevin's medical history, which many considered a lack of tact and potentially illegal.
Fri, Feb 20, 2026
Major
President Petro makes controversial statement about 'bicycle accident'
During a speech about minimum wage, President Petro briefly addresses Kevin's case, claiming some sectors are using the child's death for political gain to 'destroy him.' He controversially characterizes it as 'a child who dies in a bicycle accident,' downplaying medical diagnoses and the mother's denunciations, generating further outrage.
Fri, Feb 20, 2026
Major
Censure motion filed against Health Minister
Representative Jennifer Pedraza files a formal censure motion against Health Minister Guillermo Jaramillo due to the 'serious crisis in the health system and access to medications.' The motion is based on facts directly related to his constitutional and legal duties as head of the Health Ministry and receives support from 10 congressional signatures.
Sat, Feb 21, 2026
Moderate
Broader structural crisis analysis emerges
Media outlets begin publishing deeper analyses of Colombia's healthcare system, examining how Law 100 of 1993 turned health into a business where EPS intermediaries prioritized financial balance over effective healthcare rights. The Kevin Acosta case becomes emblematic of decades-long structural problems including corruption, massive hospital debts, and preventable deaths.
Sun, Feb 22, 2026
Major
Supersalud installs permanent monitoring of Nueva EPS
Following the Kevin Acosta case and ongoing criticisms, the National Health Superintendency installs permanent monitoring of Nueva EPS, which has been under intervention since April 2024. This enhanced supervision aims to ensure intensive oversight of the insurer's operations and compliance with healthcare delivery obligations.
Sun, Feb 22, 2026
Moderate
Political analysts declare case a 'negligence homicide'
Opinion columnists and political analysts characterize Kevin's death as 'negligence homicide' attributable to government healthcare policies. The controversy continues to grow as the case crystallizes public frustration with the collapsed health system, with investigations ongoing at multiple levels: criminal, administrative, and congressional.
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