Colombian authorities on Wednesday arrested another top commander of the drug-running neo-paramilitary group “Los Urabeños”.
The alleged paramilitary leader, Ovidio de Jesus Cardona Borja, was apprehended by Colombian national police in the department of Antioquia, reports El Espectador.
Borja, thought to be the group’s military chief, was arrested as he was leaving a shoe shop in the town of Carepa; an area that has experienced heavy clashes between paramilitary groups and rival drug gangs.
The alleged paramilitary leader is accused of conspiracy and the murder of an army informant.
Borja’s arrest comes after authorities arrested the top leader of Los Urabeños, Deiber Luis Duran, alias “Morcilla,” on Saturday.
According to authorities, Borja, prior to his current role as a leader for the Los Urabeños criminial group, had demobilized as a paramilitary fighter, only to rejoin the criminal underworld shortly after. In addition, it is reported that he was also a member of a leftist guerilla group.
“Los Urabeños”, previously called Autodefensas Gaitanistas, used to be under command of notorious paramilitary leader “Don Mario”, until his arrest last year. Don Mario is currently cooperating with authorities under the Justice and Peace process, in order to, he says, provide incriminating evidence about illegally armed groups that are active in Colombia.
