Bogotá, Colombia, Oct 20, 2003 / 22:00 pm
As part of what is being called "Operation Coffee," Columbian police officers detained a militia group that cooperates with the revolutionary forces, FARC and EPL, in the western region of Caldas, after learning the suspected assassin of Father Gabriel Arias Posada, vicar general of the Diocese of Armenia, was among the militants.
The director of the National Police Forces, Agent Luis Alfredo Rodríguez Pérez, who commanded the operation, explained the date of the capture coincided with the anniversary of the murder, which took place on October 17, 2002, and he said police "have identified the suspect responsible for priest's assassination." 66 year-old Fr. Posada was killed while attempting to secure the release of the ex-governor of Quindío, Ancízar López, who had been kidnapped 6 months earlier.
The attack also claimed the live of the priest's driver, 42 year-old Fernando Tamayo Duque.