The resort city Santa Marta, in northeastern Colombia, woke up Wednesday, September 23, paralyzed and with its streets deserted after a 48-hour “armed strike” imposed by the paramilitary structure Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada came into effect.
The illegal strike was declared by the ACSN, a group also known as Los Pachenca, in response to a public force operation in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in which alias Cholo, identified as the organization’s second leader, was killed.
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Despite the military deployment ordered by President Abelardo de la Espriella and the sending of more than 300 uniformed personnel, local businesses kept their doors closed for fear of violent reprisals, questioning the effectiveness of the government operation.
During the 48 hours of criminal coercion, the population reported gunfire attacks on businesses that tried to open, the burning of cargo trucks and direct threats against public transport drivers.
The desolate atmosphere contrasts with official reports from the Ministry of Defense, which stated that mobility and commerce “are returning to normal” after clearing five road obstruction points. The entity also reported the capture of nine people caught in the act in the departments of Magdalena and La Guajira for crimes of terrorism, illegal possession of weapons and money laundering.
🚨 Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella orders immediate militarization of resort city Santa Marta after narco-paramilitary cartel launches violent offensive
📍 Troops and low-altitude air patrols deployed after ACSN declared an ‘armed strike’ following the killing of… pic.twitter.com/H8iJlU5zWc
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) September 24, 2026
The Government’s strategy drew strong rejection from political and citizen sectors. The presence of President Abelardo de la Espriella in the city’s streets carrying a pistol in his belt generated controversy, as it was considered a media spectacle that does not resolve the causes of insecurity.
Through social media, various social sectors expressed rejection of the lack of a clear criminal policy and the inaction of the public force in working-class neighborhoods.
Alex Flórez Hernández, a senator for Pacto Histórico, questioned the Executive’s stance, arguing that “Santa Marta wakes up paralyzed. The president has not understood that this is not solved with a show. People do not open their businesses because they are afraid, and rightly so,” emphasizing that responding with visible weapons “does not threaten any bandit; on the contrary, it ridicules the State’s response and generates distrust.”
Santa Marta amanece paralizada. El presidente no ha entendido que esto no se resuelve con show. La gente no abre sus negocios porque tiene miedo, y con razón. Una situación tan crítica como esta amerita toda la seriedad y responsabilidad de Estado, eso solo se logra recuperando… pic.twitter.com/AbdYFOZ8RH
— Alex Flórez Hernández (@AlexFlorezH) September 23, 2026
Although local authorities insist on a safe return to schools and workplaces, the citizens of Santa Marta remain in preventive confinement, emptying tourist corridors and forcing the mass cancellation of hotel reservations in the Colombian Caribbean.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.