Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez detailed on his X account that in the last few hours one of the key pieces of the Second Marquetalia, the FARC faction led by Iván Márquez, fell, who allegedly executed the criminal plan to assassinate the presidential candidate and senator of the Republic, Miguel Uribe Turbay.
The senior Petro government official stated in his post: "In Túquerres, Nariño, alias Pepe, a member of the Second Marquetalia criminal cartel, was captured with a court order and extradition request from the Southern District Court of Texas (USA) for conspiracy to commit a crime, arms and drug trafficking."
Alias ‘Pepe’, a criminal from the Second Marquetalia cartel, captured: requested for extradition by the US
— Pedro Arnulfo Sanchez S. Proudly Colombian (@PedroSanchezCol) August 18, 2025
In Túquerres, Nariño, alias ‘Pepe’, a member of the Second Marquetalia criminal cartel, was captured with a court order and extradition request from the Court of…
In addition to his statement, Minister Sánchez also released a video showing Pepe being detained in a public street by several uniformed officers from the Army, the Police, and the Prosecutor's Office. The video later shows the alleged criminal being told his rights as a detained person.
For Colombian authorities, the capture of this member of the Second Marquetalia represents another step toward dismantling this type of criminal organization, which thrives on drug trafficking and all types of criminal activities that terrorize the population.
Sánchez also stated: “ The operation was possible thanks to the coordinated work of our Police, in conjunction with the Army and the Attorney General's Office, a demonstration of professionalism, commitment and international cooperation in defense of justice and security.”
The theory is reinforced
Hours before Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez revealed this result, President Gustavo Petro assured on his X account that the evidence is leaving a clear path towards the Second Marquetalia, as the alleged perpetrators of the assassination of Miguel Uribe Turbay, in exchange for money.
and Colombia; it is likely that the Second Marquetalia was paid to assassinate the senator,” he said on his X account.
The president spoke out after Antonio García, leader of the ELN, denied the guerrilla's involvement in the attack against the presidential candidate and questioned Petro, who said during a military ceremony that it was"probable" that they were behind the crime against the politician "for money."
