Colombian authorities said Thursday they have arrested a senior FARC rebel who was the alleged political chief of on the guerrilla organization’s units active south of Bogota.
According to the Defense Ministry and the National Police, alias “Jaime” was arrested in the Sumapaz region, bordering the Colombian capital to the south, while he was on his way to meet another local rebel leader.
#Atención @policiacolombia capturó a Jhon Jairo González Vanegas, alias ‘Jaime’ cabecilla político e ideológico del frente 53 de las #Farc
— Mindefensa Colombia (@mindefensa) June 6, 2013
The two guerrillas allegedly were meeting to discuss a planned offensive that aims to retake parts of the Cundinamarca department that surrounds Bogota.
Jaime, whose real name is Jhon Jairo González, has been with the FARC for 25 years, said the police.
The rebel is wanted to face charges for rebellion and is one of the rebels who allegedly kidnapped a prominent Colombian journalist in 2000.
