The arrest of Édgar de Jesús Orrego Arango, known as "Firu," has sparked strong reactions from opposition senator David Luna. Firu was apprehended while traveling in a convoy comprising seven vehicles from the National Protection Unit (UNP) alongside members of the State Major Central (EMC), a group representing former FARC dissidents.
Luna took to social media to express his outrage over this incident. Firu, a leader of the 36th front of this illegal organization, was found in the vehicle with his partner, known as Érika. During the operation, authorities seized 60 million pesos and captured five additional individuals.
Among those traveling with Firu was Alexander Díaz Mendoza, alias Calarcá, head of the Magdalena Medio bloc within the EMC. This faction is currently participating in negotiations with the government, while other factions, like those led by Iván Mordisco, have withdrawn from talks following the suspension of a ceasefire.
Luna questioned how leaders of dissident groups, who still have outstanding arrest warrants, could operate so freely, especially in vehicles belonging to the UNP. He demanded accountability from President Gustavo Petro, highlighting the incident as a serious concern for the "Total Peace" policy advocated by the administration.
The senator referred to President Petro’s remarks about the government’s efficiency made during his speech at the start of the legislative session on July 20. These comments triggered varied responses from lawmakers, including Luna, who is continuing his media campaign against the government.
In previous remarks, Petro had stated that the administration was achieving its goals, particularly in reducing poverty and social inequality, the issues upon which he campaigned. However, these statements have drawn skepticism from opponents.
The list of those arrested alongside Firu includes significant figures within dissident factions, such as Erilinson Echavarría Escobar (alias Ramiro), and Ómar Delgado Novoa (alias Boyaco), among others, highlighting the scale of the operation.
Camilo González Posso, leader of the government’s delegation in negotiations with the dissidents, commented on the incident, explaining that the convoy was returning from a sanctioned meeting of commanders authorized by the government. He admitted that irregular situations indeed occurred with individuals who did not have legal permission to evade their arrest warrants.
This incident raises important questions about the effectiveness of current policies and the complexities of negotiating peace with armed groups in Colombia. For more information regarding ongoing developments in Colombia, you can follow reputable sources such as BBC News or Al Jazeera.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/07/23/david-luna-pidio-explicaciones-a-gustavo-petro-tras-confirmarse-captura-de-alias-firu-hemos-llegado-al-colmo-del-descaro/
