Venezuela announced the capture of Colombian ex-paramilitary Nelson Orlando Buitriago Parada, alias “Caballo,” brother of the fugitive former AUC head “Martin Llanos” Monday.
Writing on his website, Venezuelan Interior and Justice Minister Tarek el Aissami said Caballo, “is one of Colombia’s most wanted, implicated in multiple homicides and part of a major narco-paramilitary network.” The capture represented “a severe blow to organized crime and drug traffickers operating in Colombia and using Venezuela as a drug route,” he said.
Caballo’s family were commanders and founding members of paramilitary group the ACC, an offshoot of the AUC, The family refused to participate in the Colombian government’s demobilization process, in which some paramilitaries were offered lesser sentences for voluntarily disbanding.
Caballo’s father and cousin have since been captured, while his brother, the infamous Hector German Buitrago, alias “Martin Llanos,” remains a fugitive.
El Aissami said Caballo was captured last Satuday night. He remains in Venezuelan custody as officials work with Colombian authorities to prepare an extradition process.