The military siege against leaders of criminal groups in Colombia continues to show positive results. Structures of the Clan del Golfo have suffered major blows.
On March 24, 2021, Colombian Minister of Defense Diego Molano announced simultaneous operations that led to the capture of 25 Clan del Golfo members in Chocó department. Authorities caught the criminals in their homes, on public roads, and in rural and urban areas of the country.
According to the Colombian Navy, those arrested are allegedly responsible for smuggling more than 13 tons of cocaine into Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama, in 19 drug trafficking operations.
During another operation in Antioquia department on March 17, in coordination with U.S. authorities, the National Police captured Nini Jhoana Úsuga, alias La Negra, head of finance and sister of alias Otoniel, leader of the Clan del Golfo.
This woman, Police said, managed the illicit finances resulting from narcotrafficking and money laundering. “Due to her blood ties, she was one of the members of the criminal group closest to Otoniel,” Police said.
Major General Jorge Luis Vargas, director of the National Police, said on Twitter that this capture “shows the strength of Operation Agamemnon [Operación Agamenón], whose goal is to locate Otoniel.” The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has requested the extradition of La Negra for narcotrafficking.
Another blow to the Clan del Golfo took place in Puerto Gaitán-Meta on March 13, with the capture of Rubén D. Meléndez, alias Porrón, one of the Clan del Golfo’s main leaders. He is charged with the crimes of homicide, drug manufacturing and trafficking, and possessing and carrying firearms, Gen. Vargas said.
On March 11, in another operation, authorities captured alias Martín Boyaco in the municipality of El Retorno. Boyaco is allegedly responsible for bringing in weapons and logistics material for Iván Mordisco, leader of a dissident group of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the Colombian Air Force reported. “This individual was in charge of extortion and all criminal finances, especially in Guaviare department. He had an Interpol Blue Notice and was wanted in 194 countries,” said Police Major General Fernando Murillo, head of Criminal Investigation and Interpol.
