This individual, with three arrest warrants in force, is accused of carrying out targeted killings in the region, as well as extortion.
National Army troops, jointly with the Colombian Air Force, arrested alias Jairo Catatumbo, the alleged main ringleader of the residual Organized Armed Group, Structure 37, in the department of Bolívar. This individual is accused of committing the crimes of association to commit aggravated crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated homicide, manufacture, trafficking, carrying or possession of weapons.
The military operation took place in a rural area of the village La Loma, in the municipality of Morales, where this individual was arrested in flagrante delicto; troops also reported the voluntary surrender of two more individuals, who would be his trusted men.
Alias Jairo Catatumbo, who was wounded in the operation and later taken to a medical center, is accused of committing selective murders of merchants in the region and of collecting extortion money from members of productive groups of the municipalities of Santa Rosa del Sur, Simití, Morales and Arenal. In addition, according to the authorities, he would in the same way be linked to the burning of vehicles in San Pablo, Bolívar.
During the operation, five rifles, 31 ammunition, two mortar shells, two mortars, a small weapon, two computer equipment, two USB, five vehicle license plates, ammunition and communications equipment and military accessories for the exclusive use of the Military Forces were found by troops.
This individual was put into custody of the authorities, who will continue to conduct their respective prosecution process.
In the same way, the two individuals who voluntarily surrendered to the troops began their process to enter the Humanitarian Assistance Group for the Demobilized, by the Ministry of National Defense, an institution that provides them with a roadmap in the process of social reintegration.
Source: Press - National Army
