Colombia Raid Nets 72 as President de la Espriella Confronts Gang Boss Keko

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 1

Operation Blindaje 360 hit 50 sites across Barranquilla and nearby suburbs, with 587 police and soldiers making 72 arrests and bringing alleged gang leader Keko into custody.
Days earlier, an intercepted recording had captured Keko mocking President Abelardo de la Espriella—known as El Tigre—and threatening him, prompting a highly public face-to-face confrontation after the raid.
The Barranquilla sweep fits de la Espriella’s wider hard-line turn: he has scrapped his predecessor’s “total peace” talks, labeled armed groups terrorists and said authorities had made 32,503 arrests by Oct. 12.
Washington has welcomed the crackdown as Colombia joins Trump’s anti-cartel coalition, though Bogotá says Colombian—not U.S.—forces will conduct domestic operations.
Analysts say the raids may boost public confidence after years of failed talks, but warn flashy strikes alone are unlikely to deliver lasting security without a broader state strategy.