A significant military operation was launched this Friday, May 22, in the rural area of Palmichal, within the municipality of Briceño, Antioquia. The mission targeted the individuals suspected of being responsible for the May 5 murder of Mateo Pérez, a journalist and director of the community media outlet El Confidente.
The operation, which was planned ten days in advance, involved ground troops and aerial support directed by military command in Bogotá. Forces engaged in the area near the Cauca River, approximately ten minutes from the site where Pérez was intercepted and killed earlier this month. While the military sought to capture the individuals known as alias ‘Chala’ and ‘Macho Viejo’, reports indicate that both suspects managed to evade capture after the initial incursion.
The military operation was executed in the same rural area where Mateo Pérez had traveled to document the impact of the armed conflict on the local population, shortly before he was killed.
Operational Developments and Internal Tensions
Intelligence sources suggest that the suspects were wounded during the confrontation and were transported on horseback and motorcycles toward the rural area of Puerto Valdivia to receive medical attention from criminal associates. During the operation, a woman identified as a member of the criminal group and a romantic partner of alias ‘Chala’ reportedly died.
The search for the suspects remains ongoing across the North and Bajo Cauca subregions, utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with thermal detection. Authorities have noted that the criminal group, specifically the Frente 36, may be attempting to organize local residents to protest against the military presence, a tactic previously observed when security forces exert pressure on illegal groups.
The emergence of internal divisions within the dissident structure appears to be a critical factor in the military’s ability to track these targets. The willingness of insiders to provide information on the routines and locations of their own commanders suggests a fragile hierarchy, which may further destabilize the group’s control over the region.
Intelligence reports indicate that internal disputes have intensified, with factions within the dissident structure allegedly ordering the elimination of alias ‘Chala’. These divisions, coupled with the current military pressure, could lead to further instability within the criminal organization as they attempt to manage both external pursuit and internal fracturing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of the military operation?
The operation, ordered by military command in Bogotá, aims to capture alias ‘Chala’ and ‘Macho Viejo’, who are identified as the parties responsible for the murder of journalist Mateo Pérez.
How did the military track the suspects?
According to military intelligence, information regarding the movements and routines of the suspects was obtained through internal divisions within the criminal group, with some members providing data to authorities.
What is the current status of the suspects?
Following the military incursion, the suspects fled the area while reportedly wounded. They are believed to be receiving medical aid in the rural area of Puerto Valdivia, while authorities continue their search using thermal-equipped drones.
How might the ongoing internal conflicts within these criminal structures influence the security landscape in Northern Antioquia in the coming weeks?
