Prosecutor charges colonel who allegedly received payments from ELN and dissent

The Colombian military prosecutors have charged Colonel Carlos Didier Pérez Amorocho with serious crimes, including conspiracy to commit wrongdoing, self-bribery, and illegal possession of weapons. The colonel was arrested this week in Bogotá and faces allegations of receiving payments from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissidents and the National Liberation Army (ELN). Prosecutors claim he accepted two separate payments, one worth 15 million pesos five years ago in Arauca, and another of 30 million pesos weekly since July 2025 in Nariño. According to the indictment, the first payment occurred in 2020 while Pérez Amorocho commanded a battalion based in Puerto Jordán, Arauca. At that time, he allegedly agreed to reduce the military’s offensive against the Eastern Front of the ELN in exchange for financial compensation. This arrangement reportedly aimed to weaken the state's efforts against the guerrilla group. In 2025, after assuming command of an elite unit in Nariño, Pérez Amorocho is accused of negotiating weekly payments of 30 million pesos from the Alfonso Cano bloc of the Second Marquetalia, a splinter group of former FARC rebels. These funds were allegedly meant to secure intelligence on military movements, facilitating the smuggling of narcotics, arms, ammunition, and cash. The alleged activities of Pérez Amorocho’s unit spanned several municipalities in Nariño, including Tumaco, Francisco Pizarro, Olaya Herrera, and Roberto Payán, as well as parts of Cauca and Valle del Cauca. Prosecutors allege that the colonel orchestrated actions that directly undermined military operations. In April of this year, his unit is said to have obstructed the advance of troops toward a specific location in Nariño, allowing armed group leaders to escape via speedboats. When forces eventually reached the site, they found most of the drug and weapon caches already empty. According to the investigation, Pérez Amorocho ordered his soldiers to dump the seized drugs into the river so the group could retrieve them later. The charges include conspiracy to commit wrongdoing, which involves collaborating with illegal armed groups, and self-bribery, which relates to accepting illicit payments. Additionally, he faces accusations of manufacturing, trafficking, and possessing arms and munitions restricted to the armed forces. Pérez Amorocho has denied all the charges, maintaining his innocence. The case highlights ongoing challenges in combating corruption and collusion within the military ranks. It underscores the persistent threat posed by remnants of former rebel groups operating under new names and structures. The prosecution’s evidence includes physical documents and testimonies that detail the alleged transactions and operational support provided by the colonel to these groups. His arrest marks a significant step in addressing internal security threats, though the legal process will determine the final outcome. As the judicial proceedings unfold, the case will likely draw attention from both domestic and international observers interested in the effectiveness of Colombia’s counterinsurgency strategies and its ability to hold high-ranking officials accountable for misconduct. The trial may also influence future policies aimed at preventing similar cases and reinforcing discipline within the armed forces. For now, the focus remains on the legal arguments and evidence presented by the prosecution.