2024-09-29 01:49:58
Óscar Camargo Ríos, alias ‘Pichi’, known for his extensive criminal record, was released as a peace manager, a measure taken within the framework of the dialogues promoted by President Gustavo Petro to dismantle criminal gangs in Colombia.
Alias ’Pichi’, who was held in La Tramacúa prison in Valledupar along with 15 other heads of criminal organizations, was part of a commission that seeks to actively participate in the peace talks. This release has generated controversy, especially due to Camargo’s record, accused of being linked to several homicides and conflicts related to micro-trafficking in Bucaramanga.
Initially, the Santander authorities did not know the exact reasons that allowed him to obtain his freedom. However, William Cristancho, lawyer and human rights defender, explained that the decision was made after his appointment as peace manager by the national government. According to Cristancho, alias ‘Pichi’ is committed to dismantling the criminal gangs with which he has been linked and collaborating in the pacification of the territories affected by violence.
“The benefit was granted because it seeks to dismantle the internal conflict between these gangs and submit to Colombian justice. Their responsibility now is to coordinate with their former criminal structures so that they cease their criminal activities and submit to the law. Its objective is to bring peace to the territory,” explained Cristancho.
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Despite his freedom, alias ‘Pichi’ cannot enter Santander, the region where he operated, due to the restrictions imposed by his new role as peace manager. Currently, he is in Antioquia and requested to move to Valle del Caucaalthough this request was denied by the government.
Camargo is remembered for having planned an attack against General Manuel Vázquez, former commander of the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Police, and is linked to a series of homicides related to disputes between rival gangs, such as ‘los de San Rafa’ and ‘los del Sur’. ‘, for the control of micro-traffic in the city.
The mayor of Bucaramanga, Jaime Beltrán, spoke after hearing the news of the release of alias ‘Pichi’. “We have received precise information that alias ‘Pichi’ was released a few months ago by judicial decision. This has led us to redouble our efforts and alerts regarding operations in Bucaramanga. Thanks to this, we have achieved great results, such as the capture of alias ‘Coto’, who had in his possession a large amount of drugs intended to feed these criminal structures. We are not going to stop in this fight, and now more than ever we are on total alert,” said the local leader.
The figure of peace managers continues to generate controversy, especially in cases such as that of alias ‘Pichi’, whose release has set off alarms in Bucaramanga.
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