The Colombian Army said Tuesday it has arrested a suspected FARC chief, alias “Cesar” or “El Indio,” allegedly one of the proteges of the FARC’s slain military commander “Mono Jojoy.”
The alleged guerrilla was arrested in the central department of Cundinamarca, according to an Army statement.
Neil Russel Gonzalez Garay, alias “Cesar” or “El Indio,” was allegedly trained by Victor Julio Suarez Rojas, alias “Mono Jojoy,” and specialized in arms handling. Gonzalez Garay spent 20 years in the FARC rebel group and was second leader of the FARC’s 51st Squad, said the Army.
He was captured in an operation involving the Army’s 13th Brigade, the National Police and the Colombian Air Force in the Cabrera municipality of Cundinamarca, the birthplace of Mono Jojoy.
Also captured was Flor Alba Loaiza Garcia alias “Bibiana,” the alleged radio operator of El Indio. Loaiza Garcia had spent 15 years in the FARC as part of the Arturo Ruiz Mobile Block and served time in the Buen Pastor prison in Bogota but was on conditional release.
Two other suspected members of the FARC’s uban networks were also detained but not identified.