Colombian authorities announced yesterday the capture of Henry López Sarmiento, the accused mastermind behind the December 21, 2009, kidnapping and murder of Caquetá Governor Luis Francisco Cuéllar. Sarmiento, a member of the Teófilo Forero front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), was arrested while visiting family in Medellín.
Sarmiento is facing terrorism, extortion and kidnapping charges. Following the governor’s murder, the FARC released a statement accepting responsibility and clarifying that their intention was not to kill the governor or seek a ransom but to put him on trial for corruption and ties to the paramilitaries.
Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has spoken out strongly against the incident, calling the FARC murderers and liars. He has also taken the opportunity to condemn those in Europe who assist the FARC in preparing statements or maintaining websites, accusing them of “white collar crimes.”
