Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella deployed more than 1,500 military and police personnel to the Caribbean resort city of
Santa Marta after a powerful drug-trafficking gang launched a violent retaliation campaign. [
1,
2,
3]
Key Details of the Crisis
- Santa Marta – A major Caribbean tourist destination and gateway to Tayrona National Park that was forced into a virtual lockdown after armed men burned vehicles and ordered businesses to close. [1, 2, 3]
- Abelardo de la Espriella – The right-wing president of Colombia who ordered the city militarized, ended prior peace talks, and made a high-profile visit to the area wearing a bulletproof vest and a sidearm. [1, 2, 3]
- Conquering Self Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada – The local criminal group behind the arson attacks and forced curfews, which controls local cocaine trafficking and extortion routes. [1, 2]
- José Pérez Villanueva – Also known as “Cholo”, this high-ranking gang leader and second-in-command was killed during a government security operation, prompting the gang’s violent outburst. [1, 2]
- Gustavo Petro – The former leftist president of Colombia who previously pursued peace negotiations with the group, a policy that the current administration has completely abandoned. [1, 2, 3]
