The most recent capture is that of alias ‘Esteban,’ a leader of the Joaquín González Front GAO-r who is accused of intimidating and extorting merchants, ranchers, and coffee farmers in Tolima.
During the first five months of 2026, troops from the Sixth Brigade have carried out decisive military operations against residual organized armed groups, particularly FARC dissident groups led by alias ‘Calarcá’ and ‘Iván Mordisco’.
As a result of these actions, there have been arrests, neutralizations during military operations, the recovery of minors, the destruction of machinery used for illegal mining, and the seizure of narcotics,
directly impacting the illicit economies of these criminal structures.Timeline of key operational results:January: In a rural area of Ibagué, soldiers from the Tolima Military Gaula captured three members of the Joaquín González Front GAO-r, from whom war material was seized.
March: Alias “Granadillo” was captured; he is identified as a trusted associate of alias “El Enfermero,” the leader of the Gerónimo Galeano Front GAO-r, which belongs to the dissident group led by alias “Iván Mordisco.” This individual is believed to be involved in the terrorist attack against the police station in the township of El Limón, in Chaparral, which occurred on December 7, 2025, as well as in profiling and extortion activities targeting merchants, ranchers, and business associations in southern Tolima.
April: In the municipality of Planadas, soldiers from the 17th Infantry Battalion “General Domingo Caicedo” captured five alleged members of the Gerónimo Galeano Front GAO-r, involved in local drug trafficking. During the operation, two shotguns, cartridges of various calibers, and quantities of marijuana and bazuco (a cheaper and harmful drug made from the leftovers of cocaine production) were seized.
In southern Tolima, a minor from Cauca was recovered; he had reportedly been recruited by the Ismael Ruiz Front GAO-r.In a rural area of Rovira, troops from the 18th Infantry Battalion “Colonel Jaime Rooke” engaged in combat with members of the Joaquín González GAO-r, a faction led by alias ‘Calarcá,’ resulting in the rescue of a minor and the seizure of a large quantity of war material and quartermaster supplies.
May: In joint operations, five alleged members of the finance commission and terrorist support networks of the Darío Gutiérrez Front GAO-r were captured, in addition to another individual caught in the act in rural and urban areas of the municipality of Prado, Tolima, and in Chía, Cundinamarca.
According to the investigation, these individuals were making threats, distributing extortionist flyers, and intimidating merchants and ranchers in the municipalities of Prado, Dolores, Cunday, Villarrica, and Purificación. This outcome was made possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Elite Military Gaula Units No. 2 and Tolima.
Most recent results:Soldiers from the 18th Infantry Battalion “Colonel Jaime Rooke” dealt a decisive blow to the Joaquín González Front GAO-r in a rural area of Rovira. During the fighting, one member of this group
was neutralized and four others were captured, including alias ‘Esteban,’ the leader of the unit.This individual is accused of extorting more than 950 residents of southwestern Tolima, demanding one million pesos from each under threat of forced displacement.
Additional details:Thanks to these operational results, the following has been achieved:
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The seizure of 16 yellow machines.✅
The apprehension of one individual.✅
The rescue of two minors.These blows weaken the criminal capabilities of illegal armed groups and help restore peace of mind to the residents of the department of Tolima.
Reward:Up to 300 million pesos is being offered for information leading to the capture of alias “Chapolo,” leader of the Ismael Ruiz Front GAO-r.
The Sixth Brigade urges the public to report information and not to be intimidated. Any information can be reported to the toll-free numbers 147 of the Tolima Military Gaula and 107 Anti-Terrorism.Source:
Fifth Division Press.
