Colombian bombing raid targeting criminal gang kills 8

Résumé détaillé

A senior leader of Colombia's largest criminal gang, the Gulf Clan, is among eight people killed in an air strike carried out by the country's armed forces, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella.

BOGOTA — A senior leader of Colombia's largest criminal gang, the Gulf Clan, is among eight people killed in an air strike carried out by the country's armed forces, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella.

De la Espriella said he had personally authorised the bombing targeting the Gulf Clan in the province of Antioquia, in northwest Colombia.

He added that Haminton Mosquera, whom he described as a senior member of the crime gang and one of 10 "priority targets" for Colombia's security forces, had been "brought down".

Following the bombing, authorities also seized seven rifles and explosive devices adapted for unmanned aircraft, and neutralized three camp areas used by that organization in the Catatumbo region.

When presenting the results of that operation, De la Espriella surprised everyone by appearing dressed in a Colombian Army camouflage uniform and with a pistol at his waist.

De la Espriella was elected in June after campaigning on a promise to crack down on Colombia's powerful criminal gangs, including by launching air strikes.

But criminals have also been responding, in a clear challenge to the actions of De la Espriella’s government. They continue launching drones against military facilities and the civilian population. They have also threatened and attacked media outlets

In a post on X, De la Espriella said that Mosquera was suspected of having ordered attacks against the security forces, including the murder of a police officer in the municipality of Tarazá last year.

The Gulf Clan has been engaging in criminal activities for decades, mainly trafficking cocaine from Colombia to destinations in the US and Europe but also illegal mining and people smuggling.

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