The head of financial operations for one of the FARC rebel group’s main drug trafficking wings was captured in Colombia’s central state of Meta, the country’s armed forces announced on Tuesday.
Jose Javier Santana, alias “Hugo Chino”, was identified as the head of financial commissions for the FARC’s 27th Front, which gathers funds for Colombia’s largest guerrilla group via drug trafficking, and extortion of businesses, ranchers, truckers, and telephone companies, the National Army stated.
Alias Hugo Chino — along with two close FARC confidants — were captured during a military operation in the state of Meta, which also resulted in the capture and wounding of five other guerrillas in the surrounding region.
The FARC’s 27th Front, one of the most active in the country, is said to be responsible for attacks on oil infrastructure and operations in the central states of Meta and Guaviare, and the southern state of Putumayo.
MORE: Rebels attack oil infrastructure in southern Colombia
MORE: Oil workers released in central Colombia 24 hours after kidnapping
The rebel group is currently participating in ongoing negotiations with the Colombian government in Cuba to end the 50-year-old civil conflict. The delegations are reportedly close to presenting an agreement on the issue of illicit drugs and drug trafficking.
MORE: Peace talks rush to finish 3rd agenda item on illicit drugs
Sources
- Continúa arremetida contra las estructuras del bloque oriental de las FARC en Meta y Guaviara (Fuerzas Militares)
- Por narcotráfico envían a prisión cabecilla de las FARC (Caracol)
