HomeNewsBriefColombia Captures 'Coltan Czar' Linked to FARC
BRIEF

Colombia Captures 'Coltan Czar' Linked to FARC

COLOMBIA / 24 NOV 2014 BY KYRA GURNEY EN

Authorities in Colombia have captured a key operative who facilitated the sale of coltan and uranium for the FARC and ELN guerrilla groups, in a case highlighting the role corrupt officials play in the lucrative illegal mining industry.

In a joint operation carried out by the Colombian Navy and the investigative unit of the Attorney General's Office, authorities arrested Juan Jose Rivera Suarez, known as the "czar of coltan," reported El Tiempo. According to investigators, Rivera used a legal company to export shipments of coltan and other minerals that were illegally mined in protected indigenous reserves. The minerals were sent to the United States, where the coltan was used in computer and appliance factories.

Witness testimony and communications interceptions indicate that Rivera's network had a number of local and departmental government officials and members of security forces on its payroll.

During the operation to capture Rivera, authorities seized 375 kilos of minerals, including uranium, which investigators believe was purchased in Venezuela and destined for the United States.

Authorities are investigating alleged links between US companies and Rivera's criminal network, reported El Espectador.

InSight Crime Analysis

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are involved in coltan mining in both eastern Colombia and Venezuela, and use the mineral to finance their insurgency. As demonstrated by Rivera's case, the FARC depend on intermediaries and corrupt public officials to export the mineral, which is used to manufacture electronic devices. In 2011, the former director of Colombia's police stated that the Sinaloa Cartel was working with the FARC to mine and commercialize coltan.

SEE ALSO: FARC News and Profiles

According to documents seized from the camp of deceased FARC leader Raul Reyes, the FARC are also involved in uranium trafficking. This is especially troubling because uranium can be used to create nuclear bombs, and the FARC could potentially be selling the material to terrorist groups.

The National Liberation Army (ELN) also generate revenue through illegal mining, mainly by charging miners to work and bring mining machinery into ELN territory.

share icon icon icon

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

What are your thoughts? Click here to send InSight Crime your comments.

We encourage readers to copy and distribute our work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution to InSight Crime in the byline and links to the original at both the top and bottom of the article. Check the Creative Commons website for more details of how to share our work, and please send us an email if you use an article.

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

Related Content

ARGENTINA / 8 FEB 2023

InSight Crime's 2022 Homicide Round-Up covers more countries than ever before, with a major expansion into nations of the Caribbean.

COLOMBIA / 11 JAN 2022

The 10th Front of the FARC dissidence isn’t letting up. After simultaneously heading off multiple enemies on Venezuelan soil, the…

COLOMBIA / 13 FEB 2023

Seizures of creepy marijuana from Colombia are popping around Latin America. But is the situation as creepy as it looks?…

About InSight Crime

THE ORGANIZATION

All Eyes on Ecuador

2 JUN 2023

Our coverage of organized crime in Ecuador continues to be a valuable resource for international and local news outlets. Internationally, Reuters cited our 2022 Homicide Round-Up,…

WORK WITH US

Open Position: Social Media and Engagement Strategist

27 MAY 2023

InSight Crime is looking for a Social Media and Engagement Strategist who will be focused on maintaining and improving InSight Crime’s reputation and interaction with its audiences through publishing activities…

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception

27 MAY 2023

Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.