Alias La Patrona, considered as one of the main coordinators of the ELN’s criminal actions in Arauca, was sent to prison

The Office of the Attorney General prosecuted Janneth Guarnizo Melo, alias La Patrona in a hearing (audiencias concentradas)¹ held in Saravena (Arauca). She is considered as the alleged main coordinator of criminal actions committed by the ELN front named Domingo Laín Sáenz. 

The 44-year-old defendant was charged with aggravated criminal conspiracy, terrorism and rebellion by a prosecutor from the Special Directorate against Criminal Organizations.

The evidence revealed that  alias ‘La Patrona’, had to warn ELN leaders about the points and moments they could attack police forces and infrastructure in the region.

There are also some indications that she would be responsible for coordinating extortions in Arauca, and visiting cattle farms, oil camps, and commercial establishments to personally intimidate the victims and collect payments of extortions.

1. Several kinds of hearings held in one hearing