Controversy in El Retico: Mayor Denies Kidnapping of Soldiers
“For me, it is not a kidnapping ,” stated Jhonny Jaiber Casanova López, mayor of El Retico, Guaviare, during an interview with *The W Radio* on August 27, 2025. This statement comes amid rising tensions following the retention of 34 military personnel after an operation against the criminal group led by alias Dúmar, a notable figure associated with dissidents of the FARC .
The mayor firmly denied claims that the soldiers are being deprived of their liberty, attributing the situation to growing demands from the local community. “The presence of the military responds to the demand of over 800 residents who call for an institutional commission to visit the affected area,” Casanova explained.
This community action stems from a recent and tragic incident where a civilian was killed, accompanied by significant material losses , including money and personal belongings from the victim’s family, leading the community to seek answers and accountability.
As journalists pressed him on the insistence of using the term retention instead of kidnapping , Mayor Casanova stood his ground, stating, “I have the evidence, I have videos showing the army engaging with the community respectfully. At no point have they mistreated anyone.”
Casanova underscored his role in ensuring the rights of both the military and the community, making it clear that “abuse of authority towards the community cannot be permitted.” He added, “In the videos, the soldiers are seen engaging in dialogue with the community, not being held in any compromising situation.”
When discussing the death of the civilian, the mayor expressed disappointment , stating, “That civilian was apparently killed by the National Army, and that is a significant grievance for the community.” He emphasized that his foremost demand is clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding that death, clarifying that he does not wish to be perceived as defending criminal groups.
On interactions with national authorities, Casanova confirmed that he had yet to communicate with the Minister of Defense, Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez; instead, he focused on dialogue with the local brigade and other high-ranking officials. He has passed on the demands of the community and informed that the Office of the Ombudsman has already been on-site, with expectations for official conclusions to follow a departmental security council.
Tensions flared following public confirmations from Colombia’s Minister of Defense regarding the retention of military personnel in Guaviare after an operation aimed at dismantling the criminal network associated with Iván Bite . This has led to widespread scrutiny, sparking a dialogue about the accountability of military operations within civilian spaces.