Eight Killed in Santa Marta Armed Clash, ACSN Deputy Dead

Lede: On 22 September 2026, Colombian President Gustavo Petro Espriella announced that Jose Luis “Cholo” Perez Villanueva, identified as the second‑in‑command of the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (ACSN), was killed during a security operation in Santa Marta, Magdalena Department. The same announcement confirmed the deaths of seven additional ACSN members, the capture of three militants, and the seizure of a Barrett .50‑caliber rifle, two grenade launchers, two pistols and eight 40 mm grenades. No injuries were reported.

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What Is Known About the Operation

According to the presidential announcement, the operation resulted in the elimination of eight ACSN combatants, including the group’s deputy leader, Jose Luis “Cholo” Perez Villanueva. The statement further detailed that three individuals were taken into custody. In addition to the human toll, security forces recovered a cache of weapons: a Barrett .50‑caliber rifle, two grenade launchers, two pistols and eight 40 mm grenades. The announcement did not specify the unit or agency that conducted the raid, nor did it provide a timeline beyond the date of the public statement. The information was relayed to the public through the President’s office and subsequently reported by the Telegram channel WF Witness.

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Location and Operational Context

The incident took place in Santa Marta, a coastal city within Colombia’s Magdalena Department. While the announcement focused on the outcome of the operation, it did not disclose the precise neighborhood, building, or terrain where the clash occurred. Santa Marta’s status as a major urban centre in the department suggests that the operation unfolded in a populated area, but the lack of detail leaves the exact setting unconfirmed. The broader security environment of the region, including the presence of armed groups such as ACSN, was not addressed in the statement, and no reference was made to prior incidents or ongoing campaigns in the vicinity.

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Casualties and Material Impact

The President’s briefing reported a total of eight fatalities, all identified as members of ACSN. No civilian or security‑force casualties were mentioned, and the injury count was listed as zero. The three captured individuals were taken into custody, though their subsequent legal status or detention conditions were not described. The seized weapons—particularly the Barrett .50‑caliber rifle—represent a significant addition to the inventory of arms recovered by Colombian authorities, given the weapon’s long‑range capability. The two grenade launchers and eight 40 mm grenades also indicate a level of firepower that could be employed in both offensive and defensive operations. However, the announcement did not indicate whether additional ammunition, explosives, or other equipment were found.

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Corroboration and Sourcing

The primary source for the information is the official announcement made by President Gustavo Petro Espriella. The announcement was subsequently reported by WF Witness, a Telegram‑based outlet that monitors security developments in Colombia. No other media outlets or independent observers were cited in the initial release. The reliance on a single source means that verification of the details—such as the exact number of weapons recovered or the identities of the captured militants—remains limited to the statements issued by the President’s office and echoed by WF Witness. No photographic, video, or on‑the‑ground reporting was referenced in the available material.

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Unconfirmed Aspects and Open Questions

Several elements of the incident remain unclear. First, the identity of the security forces that carried out the operation has not been disclosed; whether the action was led by the National Police, the Military, or a specialized counter‑insurgency unit is unknown. Second, the precise location within Santa Marta where the clash occurred has not been provided, limiting assessment of potential civilian impact or collateral damage. Third, the legal process for the three captured militants has not been outlined, leaving questions about charges, trial procedures, and detention conditions. Fourth, the broader strategic implications of the deputy leader’s death for ACSN’s command structure are not addressed, and no statements from the group itself have been reported. Finally, the absence of independent verification means that the full scope of the operation—including any possible injuries, property damage, or subsequent security measures—cannot be confirmed at this stage.

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Sources: WF Witness (Telegram)