Antioquia Governor on 'Víctor Chalá' capture: 'Behind that angelic appearance hides a criminal'

Colombian authorities have captured alias 'Víctor Chalá,' a man identified as the alleged mastermind and perpetrator behind the murder of journalist Mateo Pérez Rueda. Chalá is also believed to be a leader within an armed dissident faction of the Estado Mayor Central (EMBF) of the FARC dissidents.

The arrest took place during a joint operation by the Dijín and the Grupo de Operaciones Especiales (GOES) in Flandes, Tolima. Authorities intercepted the vehicle in which Chalá was traveling. The operation targeted Chalá, who is accused of orchestrating various crimes in the Antioquia region.

Antioquia Governor Andrés Julián Rendón took to social media to identify Chalá, labeling him a "terrorist expert in drone handling." Rendón holds Chalá responsible for the forced displacement of several rural communities in Briceño, Antioquia, where he allegedly planned to establish drone launch sites for attacks. The governor emphasized that Chalá's appearance belied his criminal nature, stating, "Behind that angelic appearance hides a criminal who sowed fear, violence, and death in Antioquia."

Governor Rendón directly appealed to President Gustavo Petro, demanding judicial guarantees and urging that Chalá not be released, drawing a parallel to past controversial releases of other alleged criminals. Rendón assured that he would closely monitor the Fiscalía's proceedings and acknowledged the efforts of law enforcement in achieving this significant capture.