In Sincelejo, Víctor Guerra De La Espriella surrendered to the authorities after being linked to an investigation for murder and kidnapping: this is known

In Sincelejo, Víctor Guerra De La Espriella, a prominent political figure linked to a long-standing legal case involving murder and kidnapping, has surrendered to authorities following his connection to an investigation into these charges. The surrender occurred after he became aware of an active arrest warrant issued by the Fiscalía. According to local reports, Guerra De La Espriella was taken to the La Vega prison in Sincelejo, where he is currently held pending further judicial proceedings. The case dates back to June 10, 1997, when Guillermo Montero Carpio, a leader of the National Association of Rural Users (ANUC), was murdered in a parking lot near the ANUC office in Sincelejo. The incident took place close to Calle Chacurí and the Bolívar sector, located on Carrera 16 A and Calle 17. During this attack, Montero Carpio’s bodyguards were detained as part of the same operation. Guerra De La Espriella is believed to have been implicated in this case, with an active arrest order issued by the Fiscalía. Guerra De La Espriella, a well-known cattle rancher in the region, co-founded the “Cooperativa de Vigilancia y Seguridad Privada, Orden y Desarrollo,” a private security cooperative that operated in the area. This organization reportedly had the backing of the Superintendency of Surveillance, the Regional Government, and the Marine Infantry Brigade. He ran for mayor of Sincelejo during the period 1994–1997 but lost to Alberto Gómez Revollo. In 2006, Guerra De La Espriella was associated with the signing of the “Pacto de Ralito,” a controversial agreement. In May 2007, he voluntarily turned himself in to prosecutors in Bogotá and was later sentenced to six years and three months in prison. He was initially incarcerated at the La Picota jail in Bogotá but was released on December 1, 2009, after serving three-fifths of his sentence due to a habeas corpus petition and accumulated work credits within the prison system. Guerra De La Espriella claimed that during the “Pacto de Ralito” meeting, he signed a blank sheet of paper placed before him at the entrance and exits of the gathering. Despite his claims, the Fiscalía proceeded with its indictment against him, leading to his imprisonment. Now, nearly 17 years after his initial conviction and 29 years since the death of Montero Carpio, Guerra De La Espriella has once again come under scrutiny. His recent surrender was shrouded in secrecy, with little public awareness of the developments. On July 17, he approached the Criminal Investigation Section (Sijin) in Sincelejo and was sent to La Vega prison on July 21. The arrest order was reportedly issued by the Fiscalía 77 delegate overseeing the Circuit Specialized in Human Rights Judges in Bogotá. Authorities stated that a human rights prosecutor is handling the case, though no additional information was available. Guerra De La Espriella is the son of Salim Guerra and Norma De La Espriella. His father was a notable political and social leader in Sucre, known for his involvement in regional affairs. The current situation marks another chapter in the complex legal history of a man who has already faced multiple charges and convictions. As the judicial process unfolds, the community awaits further clarity on the circumstances surrounding his latest detention.