Full Breakdown
President De La Espriella Militarizes Santa Marta After ACSN Violence
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Core Incident: Military Deployment Following ACSN Attack
Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella ordered the rapid deployment of army and police units to Santa Marta after armed intimidation, arson and road blockades were attributed to the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (ACSN). He announced the city would be “militarized” and traveled there in an armored vehicle with helicopters to oversee the response.
Background & Context: ACSN and Colombia’s Hard-Line Security Policy
The ACSN emerged from the demobilization of paramilitary groups in the early 2000s and operates in Magdalena, La Guajira and Cesar. The group is linked to drug trafficking, extortion and control of the Troncal del Caribe, the highway connecting Santa Marta with the Venezuelan border. Since taking office in August, President De La Espriella has halted peace talks with armed groups and pledged an “iron fist” approach.
Key Figures & Groups
- Abelardo De La Espriella – President of Colombia.
- José Pérez Villanueva (“Cholo”) – ACSN second-in-command, killed in a security operation in Guachaca.
- Fredy Castillo Carrillo (“Pinocho”) – identified as the ACSN’s top leader and financier, now a primary target.
- María Margarita Guerra – Governor of Magdalena, coordinating local response.
- Carlos Pinedo – Mayor of Santa Marta, overseeing municipal security.
Data & Statistics
- The Office of the High Commissioner for Peace estimates the ACSN has around 800 members.
- Government reports differ on casualties from the operation that killed “Cholo”: one source cites seven deaths and three arrests, another reports 13 ACSN members killed, while a third mentions five detainees in Santa Marta and two in Riohacha.
- Governor Guerra reported the deployment of more than 1,500 additional police officers and military personnel across the region.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Guerra toured the public market, distributed flyers reading “Extortion doesn’t pay,” and urged vendors to reopen.
Mayor Pinedo said police were maintaining security in urban areas while army units kept traffic moving along the Troncal del Caribe.
The Police National described the operation as an “exceptional” achievement that struck the ACSN’s command structure and finances.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents described deserted streets, closed businesses and a 48-hour curfew imposed by the ACSN. Taxi driver Antonio Ochoa said he woke “afraid to go out” but needed to stock up on supplies. Journalist Orlando Andrade noted that the strike prevented tourists from enjoying other beaches. Indigenous communities in the Sierra Nevada reported heightened security risks and called for stronger protection against forced displacement.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Casualty figures vary: Ministry of Defense announced seven deaths and three arrests; an AFP-cited report claimed 13 ACSN members killed; Telesur English reported five detainees in Santa Marta and two in Riohacha.
- No independent verification of the exact number of ACSN members neutralized has been provided, leaving the true impact of the operation uncertain.
What’s Next
President De La Espriella indicated he will continue traveling to affected areas, maintain a heightened military presence, and target ACSN leader “Pinocho” as the next priority. The government has not announced a timeline for lifting the curfew or restoring full commercial activity, leaving the region’s security outlook dependent on the success of the ongoing crackdown.