From the pavilion where the most dangerous criminals are found.
News Colombia.
Nelson Ocampo Morales, sentenced to 33 years in prison for the murder of a patrol vehicle in Neiva, escaped on Sunday, October 19, from the Cómbita maximum security prison, in Boyacá. The news has caused shock throughout the country, as the prison is considered one of the safest in Colombia and houses some of the most dangerous criminals.
See: Scientific analysis would clear up doubts in the death of a police patrol vehicle that fell from a building; rule out two hypotheses
According to the first versions, the escape would have occurred in the early morning hours, taking advantage of an apparent carelessness on the part of the guards. Ocampo Morales would have managed to get out of his cell and evade several security rings before disappearing. The authorities do not rule out that he had internal help, which is why a disciplinary and criminal investigation was opened within the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC).
Alias ”Jean Carlos” escaped
In the early morning hours, Nelson Ocampo Morales, sentenced to 33 years in prison for homicide, escaped from the Barne maximum security prison.@PoliciaMTunja He had a special device to find the recapture of this criminal. pic.twitter.com/YJUQlTW47S
— @NotiTunja (@NotiTunja1) October 19, 2025
Ocampo Morales was convicted in 2022 for the murder of the patrol boat Paula Cristina Ortega Córdobawhich occurred in Neiva, Huila. The crime shocked the country due to the cruelty with which it was committed and the victim was carrying out official duties. During the trial, witnesses and forensic evidence pointed to him as the material perpetrator of the attack.
The patrol boat Paula Cristina Ortega Córdoba27 years old, belonged to the Neiva Metropolitan Police and was murdered on August 2, 2023 on a street in that city. According to the investigation of the Attorney General’s Officethe uniformed woman was attacked with bullets by Nelson Ocampo Morales and Yeison Fernando Ramírez Fajardowho tried steal his weapona gun Sig Sauer. After his capture, the authorities confirmed that the weapon was found in the possession of the same men identified as the perpetrators of the crime, which allowed them to strengthen the judicial case that later led them to prison.
The escape of Ocampo Morales revives concern about structural failures in the Colombian prison system. Although Cómbita has been considered a model prison, in recent years it has been the scene of several scandals over corruption and privileges for inmates. This new episode once again calls into question the effectiveness of security controls and transparency within the country’s detention centers.
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