ACSN leadership dispute follows death of ‘Bendito Menor’

Following a military operation on September 4 in Riohacha, La Guajira, the death of Nain Andrés Pérez Toncel, known as ‘Bendito Menor’, and his partner, Rosa Angélica Tarazona, has triggered a power struggle within the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (ACSN).

Authorities identify two primary figures, alias ‘Cholo’ and alias ‘Patilizo’, as potential successors to the leadership role previously held by Pérez Toncel. ‘Cholo’ is currently the second-in-command, while ‘Patilizo’ serves as the third-in-command and head of the Bloque Cóndor de la Sierra. The ACSN maintains a presence across 14 municipalities in Magdalena, La Guajira, and Cesar, and is currently engaged in conflict with the Clan del Golfo over control of Caribbean trafficking routes.

Separately, the Colombian agency Medicina Legal issued a statement denying responsibility for graphic images of the deceased individuals that circulated on social media. The agency clarified that the photos were not taken within its facilities nor captured by its personnel, emphasizing that the unauthorized distribution of such material violates human dignity and the privacy of the victims' families.