In a joint and coordinated operation between the Fifth Division of the National Army, the Colombian Space Air Force, the National Police and the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation, significant progress was made in the fight against organized crime in Colombia. The successful action is part of the development of the Ayacucho Operational Campaign Plan and has culminated in the capture and neutralization of one of the most wanted criminal leaders in the region: the subject known under the aliases ‘Licho’ or ‘Guajiro’.
Alias ’Licho’, captured by the Army and whose real name is Ismael Ruizis pointed out as the main ringleader of the Residual Organized Armed Group. At 38 years of age, he faced numerous charges and arrest warrants for a series of serious crimes, including aggravated homicide, aggravated attempted homicide, aggravated criminal conspiracy, aggravated and qualified robbery, damage to another’s property, and manufacturing, trafficking , possession and manufacture of weapons, explosives and ammunition.
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Criminal history of the man captured by the Army
He Ismael Ruíz’s criminal history is extensive and it is believed that he began as a member of the Red de Apoyo a Estructuras Residuales within the illegal armed organization. Over time, he rose through the criminal hierarchy to become the head of finance. His influence extended to southern Tolima and northwestern Huila, where he directed extortion collection and drug trafficking operations.
The leadership of ‘Licho’ not only focused on the criminal economy, but also he was also linked to the planning and execution of various violent actions. Among them, the attack in the San Luis de Neiva corregimiento stands out, where seven police officers lost their lives in September 2022. In addition, he is attributed his participation in the burning of a vehicle that was traveling along the Ibagué – China Alta route in Tolima, as well as threats and intimidation of a municipal official in the municipality of Ataco and the homicide of a citizen in the corregimiento La Marina of the municipality of Chaparral.
The capture and neutralization of Ismael Ruíz by the Army represents a forceful blow to the plans of the criminal structure he led. This operational success demonstrates the commitment and dedication of the Colombian security forces to guarantee the safety of the civilian population in the departments of Huila and Tolima. The collaboration and coordination between the National Army, the Colombian Space Air Force, the National Police and the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation have proven to be essential to dismantle criminal networks and bring to justice those who threaten the peace and security of the country.
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