The 22 miners were reportedly deprived of their liberty by the organized armed group, Gao-r, Estructura 33, in Norte de Santander.
In an anti-kidnapping operation, carried out by troops of the Unified operation Group for personal freedom, Gaula (Anti-Extortion and Anti-Kidnapping Group), with the support of the Attorney General's office, by military pressure, in the municipality of La Amarilla, in Santiago, the 22 people were liberated. The miners were allegedly kidnapped by the organized armed group, GAO-r, structure 33, on 4 March. The kidnappers demanded 40 million pesos for their release.
It should be noted that, in the operation, the troops of the National Army engaged a firefight against this residual GAO, which had intimidated the producers and traders of coal in the region.
After the exchange of fire, four members of this structure were arrested, including alias Rafa, alleged ringleader of this armed Group, who would have been delinquent for seven years, and with capacity of interference in the municipalities of Santiago, Sardinata and El Zulia, where they were collecting extortion money from farmers, mine owners and traders.
In this fight, four weapons, 90 cartridges, magazines for them, military accessories and mobile phone equipment were recovered.
Those arrested were prosecuted for the crimes of extortion and kidnapping, Association to commit crimes, manufacture, trafficking and carrying of weapons ammunition for the exclusive use of the Military Forces.
Source: press-thirtieth Brigade of the National Army
