Two Colombian nationals, Andrés Fernando Medina Rodriguez and Ciro Alfonso Gutiérrez Ballesteros, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in a 2021 attempted attack on U.S. soldiers. The two men, along with members of the 33rd Front, an extremist faction of Las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias (FARC), targeted American troops stationed at the Colombian 30th Army Brigade Base in Cúcuta, Colombia. Rodriguez, who used his status as a medically discharged Colombian army officer to gain access to the base, conducted surveillance of the areas where the U.S. soldiers were primarily located.
Approximately 10 days before the attack, Rodriguez and Ballesteros delivered a white SUV to their co-conspirators in the 33rd Front, who loaded it with an improvised explosive device. On June 15, 2021, Rodriguez drove the SUV carrying the bomb up to the 30th Army Brigade Base and parked it in front of the location where U.S. and Colombian military personnel worked. Ballesteros escorted Rodriguez by motorcycle, and after Rodriguez activated the bomb’s timer device, the two fled the area on foot. The blast injured three U.S. Army soldiers and 44 Colombian military personnel.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who target Americans, including members of the U.S. military serving domestically and abroad. The sentences imposed on Rodriguez and Ballesteros show that individuals who threaten the safety and security of the United States will face the full force of the nation’s criminal justice system. Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI’s Miami Field Office reaffirmed the commitment to investigating criminal acts against the military overseas and working with international partners to acquire evidence for criminal prosecutions in the United States.
The Colombian nationals’ sentencing highlights the FBI’s dedication to investigating crimes against the military regardless of borders. The FBI works closely with international partners and security services worldwide to conduct complex investigations and gather evidence for criminal prosecutions in the United States. The U.S. government remains committed to seeking justice for those who have been harmed by acts of terrorism and violence, especially targeting American soldiers serving abroad.
The attack on the military base near the Colombia-Venezuela border serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats faced by U.S. soldiers stationed overseas. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation among law enforcement agencies and international partners to prevent and respond to threats against American military personnel. The sentences handed down to Rodriguez and Ballesteros reflect the severity of their actions and send a clear message that those who conspire to harm U.S. soldiers will be held accountable. The U.S. Army’s immediate response to such attacks and ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of its personnel are crucial in deterring future threats and protecting American interests abroad.
