Colombian authorities confirmed the **ELN sniper capture** of alias Firu or Firulais on Friday. Police arrested the guerrilla member on Thursday. He faces accusations of planning an assassination attempt against President Abelardo De la Espriella.
The President himself announced the capture on his social media account. He stated that the ELN sniper participated in planning an attack on his life. This crucial arrest took place in Ocaña, a municipality in Norte de Santander, a department bordering Venezuela.
Operation Esparta led to the apprehension. The National Police, through its Criminal Investigation Directorate and Interpol (Dijín), coordinated the successful operation. Intelligence sources indicate alias Firu was part of the ELN’s Camilo Torres Restrepo Front. He specialized as a sniper within the rebel group.
Furthermore, intelligence reports suggest the Northeastern War Front’s General Staff designated him. This is the ELN’s largest bloc, controlling parts of the Catatumbo region. He was reportedly tasked with planning and executing an armed action directly against the President.
The detained individual faces additional serious charges. These include the murder of three police officers in Río de Oro, located in the Cesar department. Moreover, he is implicated in explosive attacks against public forces. The **ELN sniper capture** followed an existing arrest warrant for aggravated homicide of a protected person. He was also wanted for manufacturing, trafficking, or possessing firearms illegally.
