Police confirmed the capture of the gang leader accused of assassinating northern Colombia’s highway patrol commander, reported local media Friday.
Police general Carlos Arturo Mena Bravo confirmed the capture of Cesar Arias, alias “Guajiro,” the alleged head of neo-paramilitary group “Los Urabeños” who was accused of assassinating colonel Christian Florez on July 31.
The official was allegedly shot and killed by a sniper while traveling through the Valdvia municipality in the north of the Antioquia department.
Mena said that the criminal group “los Urabeños” had organized the assassination with FARC guerrillas, producing “an unholy alliance” between the two organizations on the edge of the law.
“The subject [Guajiro] has been allied with FARC guerrillas of the 36th Front that operate in Taraza, and are currently being investigated for the assassin of our companion, as well as extortion, forced displacement and illegal mining in this zone of the country,” said the police director.
Along with Guajiro, seven other members of “los Urabeños” were captured during the operation.
The Valdivia municipalitiy has been considered a hotbed of both FARC and neo-paramilitary activity.
