In a joint operation by the Colombian Military Forces, the National Police, the Navy and the Air Force, Hernán Chica, alias ‘Santiago’, considered the main leader of the ELN drug trafficking cartel in Colombian territory, was neutralized. The operation was carried out on January 4 in the rural area of ​​the municipality of San José del Palmar, Chocó, and represents one of the most important blows against this structure in the last decade.

Alias ​​’Santiago’ has directed the ELN’s criminal and drug trafficking operations in the west of the country for more than 28 years. His criminal career included the management of drug trafficking and illegal mining structures, as well as the planning and execution of attacks against vulnerable communities in Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Antioquia and Risaralda. Among their crimes are homicides, forced recruitment of minors, extortion, kidnapping, confinement and forced displacement.

Despite the success of the operation, the difficult conditions of the terrain, the weather and the clashes prevented the recovery of the body of alias ‘Santiago’, so the authorities continue work in the area to confirm his location.

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The fall of the leader dismantles the cartel’s chain of command, weakens its finances and significantly reduces the operational and violent capacity of these illegal structures.

Hernán Chica’s record includes multiple current arrest warrants and an extradition request, which shows the impact of his criminal activities at the national and international level. Faced with its weakening, the authorities point out that the terrorist attacks that the ELN may attempt are a reflection of its loss of power.

The authorities reiterated that the best alternative for members of illegal armed groups is demobilization, warning that continuing in these structures only leads to crime and the suffering of their own families, in addition to seriously affecting the most vulnerable communities in the country.