Tension in Riohacha as funerals for slain police officer and ‘Bendito Menor’ bodyguard may coincide

Riohacha is bracing for a tense coincidence: the funeral of a police officer killed in Putumayo could take place at the same time and cemetery as the burial of a bodyguard linked to the armed group leader known as “Bendito Menor.”

Both ceremonies are scheduled for 4 p.m. this Sunday at the Central Cemetery. Sonia Bermúdez, the cemetery’s administrator, told EL TIEMPO that the family of police officer Deiner José Romero Silva arranged his funeral for that time. In keeping with police practice, his coffin is expected to receive an official police escort.

At the same hour, relatives of one of the bodyguards of alias “Naín,” also known as “Bendito Menor,” have arranged a funeral at the same cemetery. “Bendito Menor” leads the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada. The two ceremonies could therefore coincide in both location and time.

Bermúdez did not confirm the bodyguard’s identity. The report says he may be Orlando Paternina, known as “el Tío.” The possibility is linked to separate funeral arrangements for “Bendito Menor” and Kevin Moscote, alias “Casi Loco,” who are scheduled to be buried at 3 p.m. at Los Olivos cemetery on the outskirts of Riohacha. Their families have also called a 2 p.m. caravan from the leader’s mother’s home to the cemetery.