Three marines were captured in Buenaventura for allegedly torturing and killing a newborn puppy in February 2026. The incident took place inside the Batallón Fluvial de Infantería de Marina No. 24, sparking national outrage after a video of the act surfaced. Authorities charged them with aggravated animal death under the Ley Ángel.
The case occurred in February 2026 in the airport sector of Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca. According to the investigation by the Fiscalía General de la Nación, the three uniformed personnel found the puppy in the vegetation and subjected it to aggressions that led to its death. One of the involved held the animal while another attacked it with a machete, and a third recorded the video, which was later shared in chats with contacts.
The audiovisual material served as the main evidence in the judicial process. The detainees appeared before a judge of guarantees control, who charged them with the crime of aggravated animal death. During the hearings, one of the defendants accepted responsibility, while the other two pleaded not guilty. The judge ordered detention in a penitentiary center for two of them, and the third was linked to the process while remaining free.
The Armada Nacional reported that the involved personnel were discharged and categorically rejected such conduct, stating that it does not align with the principles or norms of behavior for Colombian military personnel. The judicial process is governed by the Ley Ángel, which toughens penalties for acts of cruelty against animals in Colombia. This incident has sparked national outrage, highlighting concerns about animal treatment in institutional settings.
