Colombian army kills alleged ELN massacre perpetrator

The Colombian Army has killed an alleged guerrilla thought to have led a 1998 massacre by rebel group the ELN, local media reported Tuesday.

Luis Guillermo Roldan Posada, who allegedly took charge of the FARC’s 4th and 37th Blocs’ finances after leaving the ELN, was killed in a military operation in the northern Colombian municipality of Segovia.

84 people were killed, 46 houses destroyed and 30 people injured when the ELN blew up an oil pipeline in Machucha, near Segovia in the department of Antioquia. Around half of the 84 victims were children.

National army commander General Sergio Mantilla told press that Posada, alias “Julia Artigas,” was killed alongside another alleged guerrilla, alias “Yorqui,” during an operation by an anti-drug trafficking brigade.

Artigas is said to have co-founded another rebel group, the Popular Revolutionary Army, after separating from the ELN. He then went on to become a leading FARC member, according to the army.

Related posts

Colombia’s prosecution confirms plea deal with jailed former UNGRD chiefs

Arsonists set home of Colombia’s land restitution chief on fire

Colombia and Russia “reactivate” bilateral ties