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Bogotá Gripped by Manhunt after Brazen Killing of Prison Director

Friday 17 May 2024 - 11:15

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In a chilling turn of events, the Colombian capital of Bogotá has been plunged into a state of heightened alert as authorities launch a massive manhunt for the assailants responsible for the brazen killing of Elmer Fernandez, the newly appointed director of La Modelo prison, one of the nation's largest penitentiaries.

Fernandez's tragic demise on Thursday has sent shockwaves through the city, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency and mobilize all available resources to bring the perpetrators to justice. The former police colonel, who assumed the directorship of La Modelo on April 4th, was returning home from work when a motorcycle approached his vehicle, and gunmen opened fire, fatally striking him in the head as he sat in the passenger seat.

Justice Minister Nestor Osuna swiftly condemned the killing, expressing solidarity with Fernandez's family and affirming the government's unwavering commitment to apprehending the assailants. "I want to express all my solidarity and that of the government and the entire nation to the family of Colonel Fernandez," he stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

President Gustavo Petro, taking to the social media platform X, denounced the "vile murder" and issued a defiant message to the killers, declaring, "Tell the murderers that they are not going to intimidate us and that we will move forward despite their attacks and insolence."

In a bid to track down the suspects, General William Salamanca, the head of Colombia's national police, has ordered a lockdown in Bogotá, leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice. "To the murderers, I want to say that you will not scare us, and we will go forward in spite of your attacks," he asserted, echoing the President's resolute stance.

Fernandez's appointment as the director of La Modelo was a pivotal step in the government's efforts to address the escalating violence and criminal activities within the country's overcrowded prisons. Prior to his untimely demise, he had received multiple death threats after initiating stringent measures, including unannounced searches of inmates and their cells, aimed at cracking down on illicit operations within the facility.

The killing has drawn attention to the formidable challenge posed by organized prison gangs, which wield considerable influence and engage in drug smuggling, extortion rackets, and other nefarious activities from within the confines of Colombia's penitentiaries. According to Jorge Restrepo, a political analyst and professor at Javeriana University in Bogotá, these criminal organizations possess far-reaching power and connections across the country.

As the manhunt intensifies, the authorities remain steadfast in their determination to dismantle the criminal networks operating within the prison system and restore order and safety for both inmates and personnel alike. The brazen nature of Fernandez's killing has galvanized the nation, serving as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat posed by organized crime and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address the root causes of violence and lawlessness.