El Guacho's Right-Hand Man Arrested Over Ecuador Bombings

Police have arrested the right-hand man of 'El Guacho,' the leader of the armed group believed to be responsible for the recent kidnap and murder of three Ecuadorean journalists on the border with Colombia, authorities have confirmed.   

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Vincent Canticus Pascal, alias 'Brayan,' was apprehended during a joint operation by Colombia and Ecuador's Military Forces and Police Units, El Tiempo reported Wednesday.

According to reports, Brayan arrrived at a hospital in Ipiales after being wounded by a stray bullet. In keeping with the hospital’s policies on gun-related injuries, medics alerted the authorities and a police team arrived to make the arrest.

Brayan has been accused of participating in bombings along the border and maintaining illicit relations as the right-hand man to Walter Patricio Artizala Vernaza, also known as 'El Guacho.'

"The investigations of the criminal unit placed him in Ipiales, and in Colombia he is accused of at least seven armed attacks committed this year against members of the police force," said General Jorge Hernando Nieto, director of Colombia's National Police.

"He is accused of detonating two explosive charges targeting a vehicle of the Military Forces on the Tumaco-San Jorge highway, on February 11; the incineration of a public service bus on the Tumaco-Pasto highway, on February 22, and the murders."

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Brayan was appointed head of Los de Guacho, a sub-group of El Guacho’s main armed group, which is known as Frente Olive Sinisterra ('Oliver Sinisterra Front'). 

According to Ecuadorean police commander General Miguel Mantilla, authorities have so far arrested a total of 42 people in connection with the violence which has erupted along the border in recent months.

Ecuadorean authorities are still attempting to recover the bodies of the three El Comercio journalists killed last week after being held captive for over two weeks. The government has offered US$100,000 for the surrender of 'El Guacho.' Colombia is offering a reward of US$150,000.