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Bolívar Juan Larinson Castro Estupiñán aka "Matamba": Prison guards probably helped with the escape
Photo: Karen Ortiz / dpa
Security forces have killed one of the South American country's most wanted drug dealers in northeastern Colombia.
"In a police and prosecution operation in Bolívar, Juan Larinson Castro Estupiñán aka 'Matamba', former leader of the Gulf clan and one of the country's most wanted criminals, was neutralized," Colombian President Iván Duque wrote on Twitter.
"We'll keep going against the Gulf clan and make sure no bandit finds a cave to hide in."
"Matamba" was arrested in May 2021 and imprisoned in the high-security La Picota prison in Bogotá.
However, he managed to escape in March.
Apparently he was able to leave the detention center unnoticed in the uniform of a prison officer.
Prosecutors believe prison guards helped him escape.
The authorities then put a bounty of two billion pesos (476,000 euros) on »Matamba«.
Cartel boss extradited to the United States
The “Clan del Golfo”, which mainly recruits its members from former right-wing paramilitaries, is considered one of the most powerful crime syndicates in Colombia.
The group is responsible for smuggling tons of cocaine into Central and North America.
In addition, the gang is involved in illegal mining and racketeering and is responsible for numerous murders and evictions.
Cartel boss Dairo Antonio Úsuga, aka "Otoniel", was extradited to the United States in early May.
In addition to drug trafficking, the 50-year-old is also accused of murder, extortion, kidnapping, conspiracy and the recruitment of minors.
In the US, he was charged in three courts.
The presidential elections will take place in Colombia on May 29th.
The left-wing ex-guerrilla Gustavo Petro has the best chance of replacing the conservative Iván Duque.
pbe/dpa