Colombian vallenato stars performed at the wedding of a former paramilitary commander who was arrested on charges of drug trafficking during the June 30 ceremony.
Singers Silvestre Dangond and Jean Carlos Centeno sang at the wedding of Camilo Torres, alias “Fritanga,” alleged by police to be the leading operative for drug trafficking organization “Los Urabeños,” which controls much of the drug trade in northern Colombia.
Both artists claim to have had no prior knowledge of their patron’s criminal identity. Centano’s manager, Emilio “Millo” Salem, explained it is uncommon for singers to have such knowledge, even at an exclusive private event.
The lavish ceremony took place at a five-star hotel on the island of Mucura, off the coast of Cartagena in northern Colombia. Fritanga flew over more than 200 guests and shelled out a reported $1.41 million for the occasion, according to local media.
According to accounts from local media, guests were instructed to lie on the ground during the arrest. Afterwords they were apparently more interested in continuing the party than in the welfare of their host or the charges made against him.
Colombian media reported that high-profile model Natalia Paris also attended the party, although she denies such claims, saying she was instead at a party in Santa Marta. Other celebrities alleged to have attended the wedding include television star Maria Fernanda Yepes, reggaeton singer Arcangel and the aptly-named band “Los Mortal Combat.”