On July 23, 2024, a significant controversy erupted in Antioquia following the arrest of key insurgent leaders from the self-described Central General Staff (EMC), who were traveling in armored vehicles belonging to the National Protection Unit (UNP). In response to this operation, Defense Minister Iván Velásquez stated that the release of the insurgents was under the responsibility of the Attorney General’s Office.
The Attorney General released a statement later that day, announcing that three of the detained insurgents would be freed as they were part of the negotiating team engaged in peace talks with the national government. The statement read, “Seven members of the EMC were captured in the act. Three will be released due to the suspension of arrest warrants requested by the government as members of the negotiation table with this illegal armed group.”
Velásquez reaffirmed that the Ministry of Defense does not have authority over decisions made by the investigative body. He explained to reporters, “Today, some of them were released by decision of the Attorney General. They are members of the negotiation committee and are traveling to Bogotá.” He emphasized that the release of these insurgent leaders was secured through the ongoing peace process with the EMC.
Moreover, the suspension of their arrest warrants was a matter managed by the office of the High Commissioner and the President’s Office, in which the Ministry of Defense had no involvement.
Criticism of this decision continued, especially since one of the arrested individuals was Édgar Orrego Arango, also known as Firu, who has been linked to the leadership of EMC’s Front 36. He is suspected of orchestrating an attack on the military that occurred on July 4, where six soldiers lost their lives due to landmines.
Cristhian Marín, brother of Second Sergeant Diego Armando Marín López, a casualty of that ambush, expressed his anger over the release of the insurgents. In an interview, he lamented, “They capture these terrorists with protection units, release them, and my brother… who will bring him back to me? Where is the ‘total peace’? We don’t see any total peace; we buried my brother not long ago, while they enjoy their freedom. I know that one day my God will bring justice.”
As a result of these events, Minister Velásquez, along with the director of the UNP, Augusto Rodríguez, and the High Commissioner for Peace, Otty Patiño, are scheduled to attend a political control debate in the Chamber of Representatives. Congressman Juan Fernando Espinal from the Democratic Center party has called for these officials to provide comprehensive explanations regarding their roles in these matters, arguing for potential judicial actions against them.
Espinal mentioned, “What we will do, especially the colleagues from the Antioquian caucus, is call on the National Government to give us the real explanations.” The Democratic Center party has expressed a strong desire for the UNP director’s removal, with representative Hernán Cadavid asserting that incidents of misconduct and abuse within the organization have become increasingly common.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/07/25/mindefensa-senalo-a-la-fiscalia-por-libertad-de-subversivos-de-la-polemica-caravana-de-disidencia-de-las-farc/
