One of the Clan del Golfo Leaders Killed in Abelardo de la Espriella’s Eighth Bombing

On the cusp of his first 100 days in office, President Abelardo de la Espriella has escalated military bombings against illegal armed groups in Colombia. In the latest strike, the leader of the 'Manuel Alexander Ariza Gutierrez' substructure within the Clan del Golfo was eliminated. According to De la Espriella, eight members of the criminal organization were killed during this attack, marking the eighth bombing since the start of his administration.

Among those killed was Haminton Mosquera, known as 'Negro Perea,' who had a long criminal history and had been offered a reward of up to 2.018 billion pesos (US$609,000) for his capture. President De la Espriella announced the operation, dubbed Nehemias, on social media, stating that it targeted a rural area in Taraza municipality and involved the National Army, National Police intelligence, and the Colombian Air Force.

The operation resulted in the seizure of five rifles, two pistols, four antipersonnel mines, communication equipment, and the destruction of a criminal activity coordination camp. De la Espriella reiterated his commitment to weakening the Clan del Golfo's finances and criminal capacity, warning that ringleaders will face no asylum or safety while perpetrating violent acts.

On the seventh bombing, which occurred two days prior in Tibu, Norte de Santander, four members of FARC dissident structure 33 were killed, along with six others captured, including 'Barba Chivo' or 'Costeno,' a senior collaborator of another faction leader. However, the criminal organizations have retaliated, launching drones against military facilities and civilians, threatening and attacking media outlets, and kidnapping the wife of Uribia's mayor in La Guajira department, prompting President De la Espriella to mobilize the Public Force and initiate a lockdown plan to prevent the kidnappers from crossing the border into Venezuela.