The arrested individual would be a key actor in the logistical and financial coordination of this structure, responsible for obtaining explosives, weapons and drones used in terrorist acts against the inhabitants and the Military Forces in the region. He is in the same way wanted for extradition by the United States.
In the framework of military operations, troops of Colombian National Army together with the Attorney General's Office, reported the arrest of alias Mono, in the municipality of Santander de Quilichao, department of Cauca, accused of being the alleged finance ringleader and figurehead of the residual organized armed group Western Bloc Jacobo Arenas.
This result comes after intelligence work that led to finding this individual, who would have a strategic role within the illegal structure, especially in the administration of illicit resources and in the maintenance of logistical resources for the execution of criminal acts in the southwest of the country.
According to the information collected, alias Mono would be the right-hand man of alias Marlon, the ringleader of this organization, who would be responsible for the attack with explosives perpetrated on the Pan American Highway, in which at least 20 people were killed and more than 40 were wounded. In the same way, this individual would have links with the Carlos Patiño structure and would be involved in the coordination of the purchase of explosives, war items, weapons and drones, which would be used in acts against the inhabitants and the Military Forces, especially in the department of Cauca.
The authorities point out that this individual would have a direct impact on violent events reported in this region, which shows the scope of his acts within these criminal structures. The arrested man has an arrest warrant for crimes related to terrorism, trafficking, manufacturing or carrying firearms, association to commit crimes and trafficking, manufacturing or carrying narcotics. He in the same way has an extradition warrant for drug trafficking issued by a Miami District Court in the United States.
After his arrest, the corresponding legalization process was carried out, while the necessary coordination with international authorities takes place to comply with the extradition process.
Colombian National Army will continue to carry out sustained, joint, coordinated and inter-institutional military operations aimed at countering the acts of criminal structures, weakening their resources and protecting the inhabitants of the Department of Cauca.
Source: Press - National Army
