The suspected FARC leader accused of inciting violence during last month’s student protests in the capital is captured by National Police, reported El Espectador.
Johan Andres Niño Calderon, alias “Rene,” the alleged head of militias for the Antonio Nariño front of the FARC, was caught by police authorities in Bogota Thursday.
The 31-year-old public administration student, in his 10th semester, is suspected of promoting disruptions during the April 7 and May 1 student protests that were held in Bogota and cities around the country.
According to reports, Rene entered the FARC during June 2007 in La Paz, Cundinamarca, and initially performed intelligence work. He later converted into a key figure for the infiltration of student protests.
The captured guerrilla is said to be the son of FARC member Reinaldo Niño Fontecha, who was captured in Argentina in 2005 as is currently serving a 10 year sentence.
Director of the National Police, General Oscar Naranjo said, “[He] makes part of the inner circle of Carlos Antonio Lozada (member of the Secretariat), of the triad that they have called the process of terrorist infiltration in the universities.”
The capture follows the military’s announcement Wednesday that they will adjust combat strategies against the guerrilla, focusing particularly on debilitating the capability of rebel groups to hide within civilian populations.