The Colombian army captures FARC commander alias “Mario,” the second in command of the FARC’s 66th Front, several media reported Tuesday.
The capture was a result of combat that took place in a rural part of the Aipe municipality in the Huila department between the FARC’s “Joselo Lozada” front and the Ninth Army Brigade.
A FARC guerrilla alias “Daiver,” who formed part of Mario’s security ring, was killed during the same combat, officials reported.
Mario had been commissioned by FARC Secretariat to carry out kidnapping and extortion operations in the area north of the nearby city of Nieva, according to Radio Sante Fe.
He was also in charge of supplying arms and ammunition to the FARC’s 66th Front as well as the “Heroes de Marquetalia” gang operating in the Huila and Tolima departments, reported newspaper El Espectador. In addition, Mario is accused of masterminding the assassinations of Aipe residents who refused to contribute to FARC operations.
Mario was shot in the foot during the combat and evacuated by air to the city of Neiva for medical assistance. Officials said that he will be transferred to a high-security prison after receiving attention.
Colombia’s Technical Investigation Team seized ammunition, explosives, and arms from the area.