Colombia’s national police are working with the Venezuelan National Guard to combat paramilitary group ERPAC, reports Semana.
Cooperation between the two countries led to the arrest of ERPAC member Edixon Vanegas Aguirre, alias “La Caponera.”
Vanegas Aguirre, who was set to be made the leader of the armed wing of ERPAC, was arrested by Colombia’s judicial police (DIJIN) in the town of Granada, Meta department.
“La Caponera” had earned the trust of ERPAC’s leader “Cuchillo,” according to DIJIN, and was going to be given a top role in order to secure drug routes in the departments of Meta, Guaviare and Vichada.
“This capture significantly affects the structure of the gang,” said DIJIN Director Carlos Mena, adding that information from the community had facilitated the arrest.
Mena said that Cuchillo is believed to be hiding in the Vichada department near the Colombian border with Venezuela, and probably moves with a 150-man protection group.
Colombian authorities believe they are closing in on ERPAC.
Last week the gang’s number two, Jose Manuel Capera Oyola, alias “Nube Negra,” was arrested in the town of Arauca in the Vichada department.
In October Colombian authorities captured the “financial muscle” of the gang, Jairo Soto Garcia, alias “JJ,” and in August ERPAC’s main hitman was caught.
ERPAC was named by Human Rights Watch as one of the principle “paramilitary successor” groups.