Police in central Colombia have arrested a woman who allegedly kept FARC kidnap victims imprisoned in her house.
Colombian media reported that Margarita Cortez Calderon, alias “La Mona,” was arrested in the rural zone of Puerto Rico in the central department of Meta on charges of kidnapping, extortion, rebellion, conspiracy, and terrorism.
According to the authorities, the 40-year-old spent 25 years as a member of the FARC’s 43rd front.
The director of the National Anti-kidnapping and Anti-extortion Office, Humberto Guatibonza, told the media Cortez Calderon was responsible for guarding kidnap victims, including soldier Josue Daniel Calvo Sanchez, who was held captive for 11 months.
Guatibonza also claimed she was responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, including last month’s assault on an army patrol in Meta that left four soldiers dead.
Before her arrest Cortes Calderon appeared on Interpol’s wanted list.