The former Governor of Choco was kidnapped on Sunday near Quibdo, the capital of Colombia’s Pacific department.
Unidentified armed gunmen stopped former Governor Patrocinio Sanchez’s van in the village of Samurindo, just south of Quibdo on Sunday evening.
The assailants proceeded to gag the driver and kidnap Sanchez, his wife, son, and mother according to newspaper El Tiempo. The former governor’s family was released hours later and confirmed that Sanchez had been abducted, according to authorities.
The former political leader of the Choco Department was en route to the capital city, Quibdo when he was kidnapped.
No one has reportedly come forward to claim responsibility for the kidnapping..
Sanchez was the governor of Choco between 2008 and 2011 and was Mayor of Quibdo from 2001-2003. His brother, Odin Sanchez Montes de Oca is an ex-congressman who is serving jail time for having ties to paramilitary groups and their sister, Senator Astrid Sanchez Montes de Oca is a serving her second year in office.
The former governor was removed from office over corruption and has been accused of having ties to rebel group ELN.
MORE: Ex-governor in west Colombia arrested on corruption charges
Sources
- Secuestrado exgobernador de Chocó, Patrocinio Sánchez Montes de Oca (El Espectador)
- Secuestran a exgobernador de Chocó Patrocinio Sánchez (El Tiempo)
- Nueve años de carcel a excongresistas Odín Sanchez y Édgar E. Torres (El Espectador)
