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Two Colombian nationals will serve prolonged jail sentences for conspiring and trying to homicide U.S. troopers by detonating a automobile bomb outdoors a navy base close to the Colombia-Venezuela border, the Justice Division introduced Thursday.
Colombian nationals Andrés Fernando Medina Rodriguez, 40, and Ciro Alfonso Gutiérrez Ballesteros, 31, had been sentenced to 35 and 30 years in jail, respectively, for his or her involvement within the 2021 tried assault.
In response to courtroom paperwork, Rodriguez and Ballesteros and members of the thirty third Entrance, an extremist faction of Las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias (FARC), particularly focused American troops stationed on the Colombian thirtieth Military Brigade Base in Cúcuta, Colombia.
Officers mentioned Rodriguez, a co-conspirator, used his standing as a medically discharged Colombian military officer to achieve entry to the bottom, the place he performed photographic and video surveillance of the areas the place the U.S. troopers had been primarily situated.
COLOMBIA CAR BOMB AT MILITARY BASE INJURES AT LEAST 36
Troopers hearken to the information on a cell phone close to the navy base the place a automobile bomb exploded in Cúcuta, Colombia, June 15, 2021. (AP Picture/Ferley Ospina)
Roughly 10 days earlier than the assault, officers mentioned, Rodriguez and Ballesteros delivered a white SUV to their co-conspirators within the thirty third Entrance, who loaded it with an improvised explosive gadget.
On June 15, 2021, authorities mentioned, Rodriguez drove the SUV carrying the bomb as much as the thirtieth Military Brigade Base, ultimately parking it in entrance of the situation the place U.S. and Colombian navy personnel labored.
Ballesteros escorted Rodriguez by motorbike, and as soon as they had been inside, Rodriguez activated the bomb’s timer gadget and left the world on foot earlier than fleeing with Ballesteros.
AUTHORITIES ARREST 3 COLOMBIAN NATIONALS SUSPECTED OF INVOLVEMENT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BURGLARY TOURISM RING
In response to courtroom paperwork, Rodriguez and Ballesteros and members of the thirty third Entrance focused American troops stationed on the Colombian thirtieth Military Brigade Base in Cúcuta, Colombia. (AP Picture/Jose Luis Magana)
“Our most pressing mission and highest precedence is to carry these accountable who goal Individuals, to incorporate the courageous women and men who function members of our uniformed companies domestically and all over the world,” U.S. Lawyer Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida mentioned.
“As seen by the jail sentences imposed upon defendants Medina Rodriguez and Gutiérrez Ballesteros as we speak, people who threaten the protection and safety of the US and our fellow Individuals will face the complete power of our nation’s prison justice system.”
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Three U.S. Military troopers and 44 Colombian navy personnel had been injured within the blast.
“Crime doesn’t cease at our borders, and neither does the FBI’s dedication to analyze prison acts towards our navy abroad,” Particular Agent in Cost Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI’s Miami Discipline Workplace mentioned in an announcement.
“We work intently with our worldwide companions and safety companies across the globe to conduct advanced investigations and purchase proof from overseas for prison prosecutions in the US.”
The U.S. Military didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.
Colombian nationals sentenced to jail for plot to homicide American troopers
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