Gold, Guns, and Girlfriends: Colombia Busts FARC Dissident Funding Ring

Three Women Arrested in Colombia for Allegedly Funding FARC Dissidents Through Illegal Gold Mining Antioquia, Colombia – In a significant blow to the FARC dissidents in Antioquia, Colombian authorities arrested three women allegedly responsible for financing the group's illegal activities. The arrests, carried out by the DIJIN (Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Interpol), uncovered a large-scale gold mining operation that served as a primary source of funding for the armed group. Among those arrested were Marta, Andrea, and Valentina. According to Colonel Hebert Noé Mejía Castro, Director of Criminal Investigation and Interpol – DIJIN, "Marta was considered the financial leader of the organization, facilitating access to areas controlled by these criminal groups." The authorities seized over 500 million pesos worth of gold jewelry and other materials directly linked to the operation. Videos and photos obtained by the DIJIN show the women involved in various aspects of the operation, including purchasing equipment and overseeing mining activities. Further investigation revealed Andrea's close relationship with a key leader of the dissident group, strengthening the case against the women. The operation also led to the discovery of a kennel of Belgian Shepherd dogs, likely trained for security purposes. This case underscores the complex nature of illegal gold mining in Colombia and its connection to armed groups. The successful arrests represent a significant step in disrupting the dissidents' financial network and weakening their capabilities.