Ecuador Police Arrest Cartel Member in Bombing, Kidnap Probe

The cartel is led by ‘El Guacho,’ real name Walter Patricio Artizala Vernaza, and is believed to be responsible for the kidnapping of three journalists. An additional suspect in Ecuador’s recent bombings and kidnappings on the Colombian border has been taken into custody, police officials confirmed Friday, bringing the total number of arrests to 23. “We have hit the organization hard,” Police Commander Ramiro Mantilla told Radio Sonorama, referring to the Oliver Sinisterra Front cartel, which is described by Colombian authorities as a splinter group from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Read more>>