A violent armed confrontation in northern Barranquilla on the morning of Monday, May 25, has left one person dead and triggered a major security investigation. The incident occurred near the intersection of Calle 84 and Carrera 43B, when assailants intercepted a vehicle arriving at the offices of the private security firm Atenas.
The victim was identified as Argenis Andrés Bonett Cardona, an employee of Atenas who was part of the security detail for Raúl Montes, a figure linked to the firm. According to reports, Bonett Cardona sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head while engaging the attackers. Four other security personnel involved in the protection detail were reported injured in the exchange.
The situation escalated when members of the Gaula of the Army, who were conducting nearby operations against extortion, intervened in the firefight. The swift response led to the capture of three individuals, including two adults identified as Joel Andrés Estor Gómez, alias “Diomedes,” and Daniel de Jesús González Palma, alias “Danielito,” as well as one minor who was apprehended for their alleged involvement.
Context and Implications
This incident follows a broader crackdown by the Superintendencia de Vigilancia y Seguridad Privada. In mid-April, the agency announced the suspension of licenses for 31 security firms across the country, including Atenas Seguridad Privada Ltda., citing alleged criminal infiltration. The superintendent, Larry Álvarez Morales, stated that identified patterns show companies obtaining legal permits while subsequently placing resources and personnel at the service of illegal organizations.
Atenas has previously contested these administrative sanctions. Representatives for the firm have asserted that the suspensions were imposed unjustly, claiming that a court had previously ruled in their favor through an action of tutela that the Superintendencia allegedly did not observe.
What May Happen Next
As the Fiscalía General de la Nación and the criminal investigation unit of the National Police proceed with the judicial inquiry, investigators may seek to determine the full extent of the attackers’ connection to broader criminal networks. The incident is likely to intensify the scrutiny on the private security sector in Barranquilla, potentially leading to more rigorous oversight or additional license reviews by regulatory bodies to prevent the misuse of security assets in criminal enterprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the victim of the shooting?
The victim was Argenis Andrés Bonett Cardona, an employee of the security firm Atenas who was providing protection for a person identified as Raúl Montes.
What is the status of the security firm Atenas regarding its license?
According to the Superintendencia de Vigilancia y Seguridad Privada, the firm’s license was canceled in a first-instance ruling due to alleged criminal infiltration. The company has disputed this, claiming the sanctions were unjust and that a court had ruled in their favor via a legal action that was not upheld by the agency.
How did the authorities become involved in the shootout?
The shooting occurred near where uniformados from the Gaula of the Army were conducting operational activities against extortion, allowing them to intervene in the confrontation and apprehend the suspects.
What measures should be taken to ensure that private security firms are not compromised by criminal interests?
