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🇨🇴 Colombia /Conflict & Security

Colombia’s president announces capture of ELN sniper accused of plotting attack against him

From El Tiempo · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella announced the capture in Norte de Santander of an alleged ELN sniper known as Firulais.
  • The president said intelligence linked the suspect to a plan for an armed attack against him and to attacks involving snipers, explosive drones and other devices.
  • The capture came amid a wider government offensive against criminal organizations, including a recent operation in which authorities reported the death of alias Bendito Menor.

Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella announced the capture of alias Firu, or Firulais, whom he described as an ELN sniper accused of helping plan an attack against him.

The president said the arrest took place the previous day in Ocaña, in Norte de Santander. He said the National Police, working through intelligence and the DIJIN in coordination with Operation Sparta, captured the suspect, who allegedly belongs to the Camilo Torres Restrepo Front of the ELN and specializes in sniper operations.

“Intelligence information indicates that he may have been designated by the General Staff of the Northeastern War Front to participate in planning and carrying out an armed action against me,” De La Espriella said. He also attributed responsibility to Firulais for the deaths of three police officers in Río de Oro, Cesar, and for attacks involving snipers, drones carrying explosives and explosive devices.

Intelligence information indicates that he may have been designated by the General Staff of the Northeastern War Front to participate in planning and carrying out an armed action against me.

· Abelardo De La EspriellaThe Colombian president described the alleged plot linking Firulais to an attack against him.

The suspect reportedly faced an arrest warrant for aggravated homicide of a protected person and for manufacturing, trafficking or carrying firearms. The announcement came as security forces pursue several criminal organizations across Colombia.

The president also referred to the recent death of Naín Andrés Pérez Toncel, known as Bendito Menor, a leader of the Conquistadores de la Sierra self-defense group. Authorities reported that he died during an operation in Riohacha, La Guajira, along with his partner, Rosa Angélica Tarazona, known as La Bebecita, and two men said to have been part of his security detail. De La Espriella said more than 30 members of criminal structures had been killed in operations in recent weeks and vowed to be “implacable con aquellos que siembran la violencia y la muerte”.

I will be relentless with those who sow violence and death.

· Abelardo De La EspriellaThe president’s warning came while describing the government’s offensive against criminal organizations.
About this summary

Originally published by El Tiempo in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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