These individuals were in charge of carrying out criminal activities related to homicides, kidnappings and extortions, as well as operations against the Bicentenary petroleum Pipeline and the launching of improvised explosive devices against the Military Forces.
In compliance with the Ayacucho Plan, and with the objective of making effective the current arrest orders aimed at protecting the lives of civilians and social leaders, in an inter-institutional manner with the Attorney General's Office, troops of the Eighteenth Brigade and the Quirón Task Force carried out a successful operation in the municipality of Fortul, Arauca.
As a result of a thorough investigation and follow-up operation, it was possible to arrest 3 members of the Domingo Laín Sáenz front, of the GAO ELN, identified by the aliases Vela or Palma, Gomelo and Pateloro.
Alias Vela served as the logistical coordinator and front man of the aforementioned illegal group, and would be the right-hand of alias Cabra, a member of this Organized Armed Group, who would be behind the kidnapping of second sergeant Ghislaine Karina Ramirez, on July 3, in Arauca.
The second arrested is alias Gomelo, who would be a ringleader member of the urban command of the Omaira Montoya Henao Group.
Finally, alias Pateloro, would belong to the armed structure of the Omaira Montoya Henao group, GAO ELN. The three individuals would in the same way be implicated in the plan to kidnap 5 employees of the Company Energía Integral Andina, who were working at the Agrarian Bank of the municipality of Fortul.
In addition, they allegedly participated in the exploitation of the Bicentenary Pipeline of Colombia (OBC), with improvised explosive devices, in order to illicitly finance themselves to continue carrying out terrorist operations in the region. The operation was not only limited to arrests, but in the same way led to the seizure of a Prieto Beretta pistol, 15 9-millimeter caliber cartridges and a magazine of pistol and communications material, elements used by these individuals to frighten civilians who are victims of the criminal operations of the GAO ELN.
With this operation, Colombian National Army demonstrates its commitment and determination together with the other authorities to combat the GAO ELN decisively, and works to increase the security and tranquility of the inhabitants in the region.
The operations undertaken within the framework of the Ayacucho Plan will continue with the firm objective of protecting the life and good physical condition of the communities, always working for the fulfillment of the constitutional mission and the law.
Source: Press - Eighth Division of Colombian National Army
