Methanol is a highly toxic alcohol that can cause death.
The National Institute of Health, INS, confirms that 89 cases of methanol poisoning throughout 2025 have been registered.
The director of the entity, Diana Pavahe explained: “Methanol is a highly toxic alcohol that can cause death. It is also used in solvents, in some cleaning and antifreeze cleans.”
“In Colombia, in 2025, 89 cases have been registered of poisoning with methanol. The territorial entity with the highest number of cases is Barranquilla with 20, 17 of them, correspond to the outbreak of this week, ”said Pava.
He stressed that, in communication with the territorial entity, in these cases it has been established that “it is not an adulterated alcoholic beverage with methanol that is being marketed. And it is very important that we have this difference. One thing is the drinks or liquor adulterated with methanol and Another very different thing is artisanal drinks with methanol “held.
The official said it is important to understand the difference between the adulterated liquor with methanol and drinks
“Since 2023, we do not register cases of poisoning of adulterated alcoholic beverages with methanol, the INS, performs surveillance -During the whole year of the event- which intensifies in December ”, highlighted.
The INS pointed out that this year, by poisoning with methanol is secondly the Valle del Cauca with 13 cases and Bogotá in third place with 10. Last year, in the same period 110 cases were recorded nationwide.
Source: Integrated information system
