Los Pepes criminal group seeks submission to justice in Colombia

The criminal organization ‘Los Pepes’, operating in Barranquilla and surrounding areas, has reportedly submitted a letter to the government of Abelardo de la Espriella seeking to undergo a process of submission to justice. The document, dated August 31, 2026, was sent to the Presidency, the Minister of Justice, Senator Enrique Gómez, and Prosecutor General Luz Adriana Camargo. In the letter, the group expressed a willingness to tell the truth and repair victims, appointing attorney Angélica María Martínez Cuajar as their spokesperson.

In a separate development, National Police units conducted raids in Sabanagrande, Atlántico, resulting in the arrest of three individuals suspected of being members or collaborators of ‘Los Pepes’. The detainees, two men and one woman, were charged with drug trafficking following the seizure of marijuana and cocaine. The authorities noted that the suspects have a combined total of 23 previous judicial records for various offenses, including conspiracy to commit a crime and violent sexual acts.