DistantNews
Support us
Escaped Captive Identifies Six Alleged EPP Members as Kidnappers
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

Escaped Captive Identifies Six Alleged EPP Members as Kidnappers

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Almir de Brum, who escaped after 103 days of captivity, identified six alleged members of the EPP guerrilla group as his captors.
  • Investigators note his testimony is still limited due to the psychological impact of his ordeal.
  • The alleged leader of the cell involved is identified as Ernesto Daniel Villalba, who is also linked to other crimes.

Almir de Brum, a young colonist who escaped after 103 days of captivity, has identified six alleged members of the EPP (Paraguayan People's Army) guerrilla group as his captors. However, investigators state that the information provided is still partial due to de Brum's condition following his ordeal.

Police Commissioner Nimio Cardozo, head of the anti-kidnapping unit, confirmed that de Brum recognized Ernesto Daniel Villalba, alias "Danielito" (20), Claudia Anahí Oviedo Villalba (31), Viviana Monserrat Caballero Villalba (23), Samuel Silva Cáceres (32), Ladi Silqueira Krauze (42), and a man known only as "Joselo." De Brum also indicated the presence of two other unidentified individuals.

Besides two other people he could not identify.

— Nimio CardozoPolice Commissioner and head of the anti-kidnapping unit, detailing the number of captors identified by the victim.

Cardozo acknowledged that de Brum's testimony remains limited, making it difficult to reconstruct precise details of his kidnapping and escape. He explained that this is common for victims who have endured prolonged captivity, as the psychological impact and passage of time often hinder the immediate recall of detailed information. Previously, other EPP survivors also required several months before they could provide extensive accounts.

Investigators believe Ernesto Daniel Villalba is a key figure in the EPP's current structure, potentially leading the cell involved in de Brum's kidnapping. Villalba is also reportedly implicated in the kidnapping of former Vice President Óscar Denis and has committed several homicides as part of his involvement with the criminal group.

He is (currently) led by Ernesto Daniel Villalba.

— Nimio CardozoReferring to the cell that allegedly participated in Almir de Brum's kidnapping, according to police intelligence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog