Colombian security forces killed a top paramilitary commander early Friday, September 4, in an operation that relied heavily on intelligence supplied by the United States, according to reporting from El Tiempo.
The target, known by the alias “Bendito Menor,” was the leader of the Autodefensas Conquistadores de la Sierra, an armed criminal group operating in northern Colombia. He was killed alongside his partner, identified only as “bebecita” (“little baby”), during a raid in Riohacha, the capital of the northeastern department of La Guajira, near the border with Venezuela.
According to sources familiar with the operation, authorities used a sophisticated intelligence strategy to lure the commander into using his cellphone from inside his hideout, allowing officials to pinpoint his exact location before troops moved in. The tactic proved decisive in an area known for its rugged terrain, which has long provided cover for armed groups involved in drug trafficking.
The Autodefensas Conquistadores de la Sierra, classified by Colombian authorities as an Organized Armed Group, has been linked to violence and criminal activity across the region. Following news of the commander’s death, the group issued a statement saying it would not seek retaliation.
Colombian authorities have not detailed the exact nature of the US cooperation, but the case underscores the deepening role of American intelligence support in the country’s ongoing fight against armed groups.
For the full story, read the original report at El Tiempo.
Source: La jugada de inteligencia que permitió ubicar a 'Bendito Menor' en La Guajira (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: SPC Robert Woodward, USA.