Alias Cartagena falls, head of finance of the Gulf Clan in Antioquia's Urabá

In a new operation carried out by the Colombian public forces, Yeison Aguilera Licona, alias Cartagena, one of the heads of finance of the Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC), also known as the Gulf Clan, fell. The paramilitary was mainly linked to the Edwin Román Velázquez substructure, which operates in the subregion of Antioquia's Urabá,

The authorities, although they have not revealed many details of the operation, indicated that it was coordinated between the Attorney General's Office, the National Police and the Colombian Air Force (FAC). Members of these entities had been following the criminal for some time and arrived in Mutatá, Antioquia, where they captured him.

The capture of alias Cartagena is a major blow to the Gulf Clan, as this criminal had a criminal record of more than 15 years. It was currently operating in western Antioquia, especially Uramita. Intelligence personnel even confirmed that in 2012 the offender took over as head of the latter area and in 2015 he served as financial articulator.

Likewise, one municipality of incidence in Cartagena is Frontino. In fact, among the crimes attributed to it would be the recent bomb attack reported in Frontino on April 19. The Seventh Division of the Army claimed that the attack occurred because the paramilitaries left an improvised explosive device on a highway. The element was later activated when vehicles from the Fourth Division passed through the site. Seven soldiers were killed in the incident.

In addition, alias Cartagena is accused of collecting monies related to all drug trafficking, extortion and illegal mining activities in Antioquia's Urabá. These activities include managing the payroll of the members of the Edwin Román Velásquez substructure.

The prisoner would also be responsible for cases of kidnapping and homicide. Authorities highlighted the 2009 murder of activist Orlando Valencia, who worked for a Canadian human rights organization.

Because of this record, the authorities charged Cartagena with the crime of concert to commit crimes. The judge in charge of the case ordered him a security measure in the prison, which he must fulfill in the Pedregal prison.

The authorities hope that, in addition to prosecuting alias Cartagena, through him he will be able to find other leaders of the Gulf Clan. The one captured was the trusted man and escort of Luis Gabriel Hernández Medina, alias R-15, one of the drug lords of the paramilitary group. Likewise, he was close to the head of the substructure Edwin Roman Velásquez, alias Richard, for whom 150 million pesos are offered in reward.

Colombian authorities are watching the Gulf Clan movements, mainly in Antioquia. This area of the country is a key point for the illegal group because from here they control drug trafficking routes.

Even on Friday, April 15, Defense Minister Diego Molano reported that two men were killed in El Bagre, Antioquia. There, members of the National Army and the Police also seized war material that linked the subjects to this criminal group.

“Ongoing offensive against Gulf Clan strongholds. @FuerzasMilCol and @policiacolombia neutralized two of their members, who were seized war material with which they frightened the inhabitants of El Bagre, Antioquia #ConTodasNuestrasFuerzas we protect Colombians,” Minister Molano reported through his Twitter account.

Among the material seized by the authorities during the operation that took place in La Bonga, in El Bagre (Antioquia) are two 9mm firearms, ten cartridges, two suppliers, a grenade and a cell phone.

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