Wife of the mayor of Uibía kidnapped in Colombia: president orders total deployment of security forces

The kidnapping and the authorities' response

In Colombia, Nancy Gómez has been kidnapped — the wife of the mayor of the city of Uibía in the department of La Guajira Jaime Luis Buitrago García, who served as the municipality's social manager. According to the Anadolu agency, the mayor reported the kidnapping on the social network X: “As a mayor, and also as a father, I am going through a difficult moment.” He asked the president to support the army, the police, and the ministries of defense and transport, and asked the governor to coordinate institutional efforts, activate search protocols, and strengthen security on roads and border corridors to prevent the woman from being taken out of the country.

The president's actions and the theory of ELN involvement

President Abelardo De La Espriella said the kidnapping took place at 6:10 a.m. local time (11:00 GMT) and ordered a total deployment of public forces as well as a “padlock plan” — a lockdown intended to prevent the kidnappers from taking the victim into Venezuela. According to him, “initial information points to the involvement of the ELN (National Liberation Army); we are verifying the situation.” The president stated that he had ordered “all the resources of the state” to be used to find Gómez, free her unharmed, and bring those responsible to justice, expressing solidarity with the mayor and his family.

What is known and what remains unclear

The mayor called on residents to remain vigilant and to report any information that could help find his wife: “Our priority is to protect her life and safety and to secure her return home as soon as possible.” ELN's involvement has not been confirmed at this time — the president himself noted that the information is being verified. The reports do not make clear who is behind the kidnapping, where Gómez is being held, or whether any demands have been made; these questions remain open.