Colombian President accuses top guerrilla leader of corrupting army

Sunday 05 April 2026 - 09:00

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the country’s most wanted guerrilla leader, Ivan Mordisco, of bribing members of the military to evade capture.

According to the government, Mordisco—whose real name is Néstor Gregorio Vera—recently escaped into the Amazon rainforest following a military operation in southeastern Colombia. The offensive reportedly killed several of his close associates, although authorities believe he narrowly avoided the strike.

President Petro claimed that the guerrilla leader had been tipped off in advance of military actions, alleging that corruption within the armed forces allowed him to avoid targeted bombings. These accusations highlight ongoing concerns about security vulnerabilities and internal misconduct within state institutions.

Once a mid-level member of the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Mordisco rejected the 2016 peace agreement and rose to prominence as the head of a dissident faction. His group is believed to be involved in illegal activities such as drug trafficking and environmental destruction linked to illicit cattle ranching.

After initially attempting dialogue, the government has shifted toward a more confrontational approach against armed groups. With a significant reward offered for information leading to Mordisco’s capture, authorities continue their efforts to dismantle dissident networks.