Alias Bendito Menor, identified leader of the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada, posts videos on social media following the order from elected president Abelardo de la Espriella to capture or kill him.
The standoff between the new government and organised crime in Colombia is intensifying. Naín Andrés Pérez Toncel, alias Bendito Menor, leader of the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (ACSN), has reappeared on social media with defiant messages just days after elected president Abelardo de la Espriella ordered his capture or elimination.
In a video released in recent hours, Bendito Menor is seen on a motorcycle through the landscapes of La Guajira alongside his partner, known as La Bebecita. The accompanying message is clear:
“We are in melooo, without fear. Long live my Guajira!”The post is interpreted as a direct response to De la Espriella's executive order.
The order from De la Espriella and the leader's response
The origin of this confrontation dates back a few days, when the elected president instructed his designated Minister of Defence to “prepare everything necessary to capture him or eliminate him if he resists,” classifying Bendito Menor as a high-value target. The decision was made following the circulation of previous videos in which the criminal led motorcycle caravans in La Guajira, generating public outrage.
Rather than hiding, the leader has intensified his media exposure. In other recent posts, he has shared phrases such as
“My word is my signature”and
“To be the owner of the game, one must first learn to respect the rules one invents”A pattern that authorities have already identified as a strategy to project power and challenge the State.
Who is Bendito Menor and why is he a priority
Identified as Naín Andrés Pérez Toncel, Bendito Menor is regarded as one of the main leaders of the ACSN, a criminal structure with a presence in La Guajira and Magdalena. Authorities link him to criminal activities and territorial control in the Caribbean region. He is currently considered a priority target for law enforcement, with a reward of up to $1,000 million for information leading to his capture.
Despite the announced offensive, the leader continues to evade operations and maintains constant activity on social media. Analysts indicate that these videos aim to delegitimise state authority, create a perception of territorial control, and increase his visibility within criminal structures.
Implications for security in the Colombian Caribbean
The reappearance of Bendito Menor is not only an operational challenge but also a symbolic one. The incoming government of De la Espriella has drawn a hard line on security, which could define the tone of its policy towards illegal armed groups. This early standoff evidences a direct confrontation between the Executive and the ACSN.
For the citizens of La Guajira and Magdalena, the situation represents an increase in tension in areas historically affected by crime. Authorities urge the public to cooperate with information that could lead to the capture of the leader, while operations in the region are being reinforced. The outcome of this conflict will be key to measuring the State's capacity to regain territorial control.
You may also like
