Bogotá, August 11, 2019. In accordance with the guidelines and policies of the National Government of zero tolerance of acts of corruption and with those who dishonor the military uniform and the military honor, the General Command of the Military Forces informs:
On July 25, the National Police Anti-kidnapping and Anti-Extortion Directorate informed the National Director of Military Gaula (Anti-Extortion and Anti-Kidnapping Group) of the rescue of the merchant Estiven Beltrán, in operation conducted in the municipality of Soacha, in the department of Cundinamarca.
On the night of the same day, at a meeting held at the National Police Anti-kidnapping and Anti-Extortion Directorate, the National Director of Military Gaula (Anti-Extortion and Anti-Kidnapping Group) was officially informed about the alleged participation of military in the kidnapping of the merchant.
The evidence required by the National Police, including the identification of vehicles and people allegedly involved in the incident, was immediately provided. In the same way, the Delegate Prosecutor was contacted to provide all the collaboration and support for the investigation.
The National Director of Military Gaula (Anti-Extortion and Anti-Kidnapping Group) proceeded to request procedure of the institution of people allegedly involved in the kidnapping of the merchant.
Consequently, the Commander of the National Army, using his discretionary power, withdrew of the active service the Soldier Milton Andrés Toro Hernández, by means of the Administrative Order of August 2, and the Second Sergeant Jorge Eliécer Serna Gómez, with Resolution of the 5 of August.
In the same way, and according to the investigations, it was established that the Second Navy Infantry Sgt. Dick Rodríguez Fuentes, who was the Deputy Service Officer of the military unit on July 20, the day of the merchant's kidnapping, and who was the responsible for the facilities and the automobile of the Directorate of the Military Gaula, authorized the departure of an official vehicle for the criminal acts.
Therefore, the Commander of the National Navy, in use of his discretionary power, ordered the withdrawal of the active duty of the NCO, by means of a Resolution dated August 6, 2019.
It is necessary to clarify that the vehicle used in the kidnapping of the merchant was not that of the National Director of the Military Gaula.
In compliance with the Capture warrant issued on August 10, police Gaula units, with the support of Tolima Military Gaula, captured the Second Navy Infantry Sergeant Dick Rodríguez Fuentes, who had already been removed from service, to put him into custody of the authorities.
In the same way, it is important to point out that the information about the alleged participation of military in the kidnapping, as well as their subsequent withdrawal of the institution, were not made public at the express request of the authority, regarding the legal reserve of the investigation, to protect it and not hit the capture procedures of the alleged parties involved. The investigation is carried out by the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation, with the support of the National Directorate of Military Gaula.
The General Command of the Military Forces reiterates the commitment of zero tolerance with any operation of the members of the institution that is contrary to the Constitution, the Law, the Human Rights or the International Humanitarian Law and reiterates the total commitment to support the operations conducted by control institutions.
