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Colombia: Three Dijín police officers kidnapped in Norte de Santander
Three members of the Colombian National Police's Criminal Investigation and Interpol Directorate (Dijín) were kidnapped on Monday, August 17, in the Norte de Santander department. The victims, identified as Major Fredy Alexis Russi González and Patrolwomen Erika Tatiana Monroy Hurtado and Edison Yesid Medina Traslaviña, were part of the Terrorism Investigative Group (Grate).
The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on the road connecting Ocaña and Cúcuta, specifically in the Bucarasica municipality near the La Curva sector. Armed men in two vehicles intercepted the officers' red Chevrolet Spark, forced them from the car, and fled with them to an unknown location. The vehicle was later found abandoned, looted, and marked with graffiti referencing 'Farc-EP' or 'FARP'.
President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the act and ordered a full mobilization of the public forces to locate the officers and capture those responsible. While the exact perpetrators have not been officially confirmed, authorities noted the presence of both ELN guerrillas and FARC dissidents in the area. The Ministry of Defense suggested the kidnapping may be a retaliation for recent military operations against armed groups in the Catatumbo region.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · Dijín · Edison Yesid Medina Traslaviña · Erika Tatiana Monroy · Erika Tatiana Monroy Hurtado · Fredy Alexis Russi González · National Police of Colombia · Norte de Santander
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The kidnappers used two trucks to intercept the officers' red Chevrolet Spark. paragrafo.co · laopinion.co · www.elespectador.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered the mobilization of all public force capabilities to rescue the officers. www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · www.eje21.com.co · www.colombia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry of Defense suggested the kidnapping might be a retaliation for military operations against armed groups in Catatumbo. www.radiosantafe.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The abandoned vehicle was found with broken windows and graffiti reading 'Farc-EP' or 'FARP'. lanotastereo.com.co · paragrafo.co · laopinion.co
- [● 7 SOURCES] The kidnapped officers belong to the Terrorism Investigative Group (Grate) of the Dijín. lanotastereo.com.co · paragrafo.co · www.eje21.com.co · www.colombia.com · laopinion.co · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The region has a presence of both ELN guerrillas and FARC dissidents. lanotastereo.com.co · www.eje21.com.co
- [● 7 SOURCES] The victims are identified as Major Fredy Alexis Russi González, Patrolwoman Erika Tatiana Monroy Hurtado, and Patrolman Edison Yesid Medina Traslaviña. lanotastereo.com.co · paragrafo.co · www.eje21.com.co · www.colombia.com · laopinion.co · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Three police officers were kidnapped on the Ocaña-Cúcuta road in Norte de Santander. www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · lanotastereo.com.co · paragrafo.co · www.eje21.com.co · www.colombia.com · +3 more