In two days of “armed strike” imposed by the organization that commanded “more than one hundred vehicles (…) have been damaged,” said Interior Minister Daniel Palacios.
During a tour of the north of the department of Antioquia, journalists who spoke on condition of reservation saw trucks burned on the side of the road and encountered an armed commando of six men, one of them with a rifle and the others with handguns, who stopped a vehicle and forced its occupants to get out, before setting it on fire.
“There is a mode of operation of an individual or two individuals who move on motorcycles, get off, intimidate a vehicle and generate the affectation,” added Palacios after a security council in the north of the country.
Otoniel, 50, was extradited Wednesday from Bogotá to New York, where he is charged with cocaine trafficking. He pleaded not guilty before a Brooklyn court judge. The next hearing is scheduled for June 2.
On Thursday, the Clan del Golfo, in retaliation, announced a four-day armed strike in its areas of influence in Antioquia and also in the departments of Córdoba, Sucre and Bolívar.
Until his arrest in October 2021, Otoniel commanded this organization responsible for 30% (about 300 tons) of cocaine exports from the world’s largest producer of that drug. At the time it had 4,000 members, but after the coups by the authorities its foot of force is around 1,700 members, according to the independent center for studies for development and peace (Indepaz).
The Ombudsman’s Office lamented in a statement “the fear of the communities (…) where there are almost empty streets, closed businesses, suspended school activities, paralyzed transport companies and the population confined to their homes.”
Palacios offered a reward equivalent to 7,300 dollars for those who provide information on those responsible for attacks during the armed strike.
According to information from the Ministry of Defense, the traffickers also launched a plan to assassinate police and military personnel.
The head of that portfolio, Diego Molano, announced “the creation of a specialized search block” to “dismantle” the Clan del Golfo.
An official balance on civilian victims or those of the public force is not yet known.
“Our purpose is to restore commercial activity and mobility in the country within hours,” said Defense Minister Diego Molano, from the municipality of Carepa, in the department of Antioquia (northwest).
