Alias ‘Víctor Chalá’ was captured in Flandes, Tolima, for his alleged role in the murders of social leader Lina María Puentes Vega and journalist Mateo Pérez Rueda.
Jhon Edison Chalá Torrejano, known as alias ‘Víctor Chalá’, was detained on the previous Friday night by a special DIJIN command in Flandes. The joint Police and Fiscalía operation also captured five other people and seized four pistols, 33 million pesos in cash and a vehicle.
Defense Minister Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez stated that the detainee had more than a decade of criminal history and served under alias ‘Calarcá’. “This criminal, at the service of alias ‘Calarcá’, is accused of participating in the murders of peace signatories and human rights leaders,” Sánchez said.
‘Víctor Chalá’ is accused as the alleged intellectual and material author of the murder of journalist Mateo Pérez Rueda on May 7, 2026, in Briceño, Antioquia, and the killing of Lina María Puentes Vega on May 31, 2025, in Baraya, Huila. The capture legalization hearings took place in Ibagué.
