Border crime: Body of Gabriel Claros Álvarez recovered after three-day delay

The body of Gabriel Claros Álvarez, known as ‘Moño’, remained abandoned for three days in a dangerous border crossing area known as ‘La Isla’ between Cúcuta, Colombia, and Ureña, Venezuela. Claros Álvarez, a 42-year-old construction assistant, was killed by a gunshot on Wednesday, August 19.

Recovery efforts were repeatedly obstructed by the presence of armed groups controlling the area. An initial attempt by a funeral procession was halted by armed men who warned that only police or military personnel could retrieve the body. A subsequent attempt by security forces led to an armed confrontation; while no Colombian casualties were reported, local reports indicated a Venezuelan officer was injured, and a stray bullet struck a residence in Ureña.

The Colombian Army finally succeeded in retrieving the body on Saturday. Claros Álvarez, who had lived in the area for six months, was scheduled for burial at the Central Cemetery of Cúcuta on Tuesday, August 25.