Colombia tourist hotspot Santa Marta militarized over armed violence

Santa Marta, a popular tourist destination in Colombia, experienced a surge in military and police presence on Wednesday following a wave of armed violence. President Abelardo De la Espriella ordered over 500 soldiers and 600 police officers to deploy across the city, along with neighboring Ciénaga and the Troncal del Caribe region.

The security measures were implemented in response to the Los Pachenca armed group, which claimed responsibility for the death of José Luis Pérez Villanueva, or "Cholo," during an operation on Monday.

The Los Pachenca group, also known as the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada, retaliated to the operation by declaring an armed strike, forcing residents to stay indoors while businesses and transportation operators halted their activities. Businesses were ordered to close, and gunshots were heard near several neighborhoods, with commercial activity ceasing around Carreras 5 and 6 and the Public Market. Public buses disappeared from the streets, leaving many residents stranded.

The Colombian Air Force deployed Kfir jets to support the government's response to the crisis in the Magdalena Department. Nine suspects were detained, and four alleged Los Pachenca leaders, including Fredy Castillo Carrillo, known as "Pinocho," were identified as priority targets. While the main roads have since reopened, traffic remains sparse, and many stores remain closed as the city grapples with the aftermath of the violence.