Who is John Mechas, the terrorist accused of ordering the attack that left two children dead in Bogotá

After the video posted on social networks that the 33rd Front of the FARC dissidents claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in an Immediate Care Center (CAI) in Ciudad Bolívar, south of Bogotá. The National Police provided information from the judicial file of Javier Alonso Velosa García, alias John Mechas, leader of that front and glider of the explosion.

According to reports, the violent event was part of the celebration for the anniversary of the death of Manuel Marulanda Vélez, alias Tirofijo, who died on March 26, 2008. In addition, they pointed out in advance that these violent actions are aimed at members of the security forces.

The events occurred on the night of Saturday 26 of this same month, and resulted in the death of two minors and the impact on the health of other citizens who were nearby.

Local media assured that the man named to plant the bomb is recognized as Anfo. According to the Bogotá Metropolitan Police, Anfo planted a bomb composed of ammonium nitrate and fuel. Patrolman Joan Camilo Fonseca, who had to be hospitalized for his injuries, the investigators say, would have seen the moment when the suitcase was abandoned. With this alias on the radar, the Minister of Defense, Diego Molano, the President, Iván Duque and the Mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, announced that a $300 million reward was being offered to anyone who provided information necessary to clarify what happened information that would allow the intellectual and material perpetrators of the attack to be established.

That group had already claimed responsibility for last year's attacks on an Army brigade in Cúcuta and against the helicopter in which President Iván Duque was mobilizing. Its area of interference is the border area, through the Caño Negro sector, between the Catatumbo region and the state of Zulia in Venezuela. From there, he coordinates activities related to drug trafficking and armed actions against the security forces.

Javier Alonso Velosa García, 39, is one of the biggest articulators of violence in Norte de Santander and linked by the authorities to attacks. In addition, he is one of the junior members of Néstor Gregorio Vera Fernández, alias Iván Mordisco, one of the most wanted men in the country.

He has such a delicate criminal record that he already has Interpol Blue Circular for the crimes of concert to aggravate crime, terrorism, attempted murder, damage to the property of others and arms trafficking.

Police reports say that 'John Mechas' joined the ranks of the FARC in 1996 and decided not to take advantage of the peace process signed between that guerrilla and the Colombian government in 2016. After alliing with other powerful dissidents, it has managed to consolidate a structure with interference on the border with Venezuela and in departments such as Norte de Santander.

The 33rd Front is composed of eight leaders, who are responsible for securing various elements of war. He is described as a “mastermind” of the attack of June 15 last year, when the San Jorge Military Canton entered a car bomb that left 36 people injured.

KEEP READING: