Engineer rescued in Santa Marta after kidnapping: nine people were arrested while demanding 50 million pesos for his release

NewsThe Gaula located the victim in a house in the Aeromar neighborhood and seized a firearm, two traumatic pistols, and several sharp-edged weapons. Civil engineer Sergio Pablo Gutiérrez Mejía was found safe and sound in a house in the Aeromar neighborhood, in Santa Marta. Photo: Video screenshotJOURNALIST16.10.2026 08:48 Updated: 16.10.2026 08:48 Civil engineer Sergio Pablo Gutiérrez Mejía, 63, was rescued safe and sound during an operation carried out by the Army's Gaula and the National Police in the Aeromar neighborhood, in Santa Marta. SEE ALSO President Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed the outcome of the operation and stated that seven adults were captured and two minors were taken into custody for their alleged participation in the kidnapping. Those involved had allegedly demanded 50 million pesos in exchange for releasing the professional. Gutiérrez Mejía had been kidnapped on October 14. After receiving information about the case, authorities began verification and intelligence work that allowed them to locate him in a house in Aeromar, a sector located near the Simón Bolívar airport. Seven adults captured and two minors taken into custodyGaula members arrived at the property and found the engineer in the custody of his alleged captors. The official report indicates that the victim was recovered in good condition and received care after being freed. The Army's GAULA and the Police rescued safe and sound civil engineer Sergio Pablo Gutiérrez Mejía, 63, kidnapped on October 14 in Santa Marta. In the operation, 7 adults were captured and 2 minors were taken into custody, accused of demanding $50 million for his release. The victim was located in a house in the Aeromar neighborhood, following verification and intelligence work. They sent his family a proof-of-life video. During the procedure, a 9 mm firearm with 6 cartridges, 3 sharp-edged weapons, and 2 traumatic pistols were seized. Kidnapping and extortion will face the full weight of the law in my government. We will keep working to protect the lives and freedom of Colombians. Firm for the Homeland! Welcome to the Land of Miracles! Long live Christ the King! (ADLE) 🇨🇴 🐯— Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) October 16, 2026 During the procedure, a nine-millimeter pistol with six cartridges, three sharp-edged weapons, and two traumatic pistols were seized. These items were placed at the disposal of the Attorney General's Office for analysis within the investigation. The seven detained adults will be presented before a guarantees judge. The legal situation of the two teenagers must be resolved under the rules of the Juvenile Criminal Responsibility System. So far, authorities have not revealed the identities of those detained nor have they reported whether they belong to any criminal structure with a presence in Santa Marta. The Gaula located the victim in a house in the Aeromar neighborhood. Photo: Video screenshot"Kidnapping and extortion will face the full weight of the law in my government. We will keep working to protect the lives and freedom of Colombians," said President De la Espriella. Mayor highlights the authorities' responseThe mayor of Santa Marta, Carlos Pinedo Cuello, celebrated the engineer's release and highlighted the participation of the Metropolitan Police, the Gaula, and the Special Operations Group, GOES."Life and freedom are sacred! I celebrate the release of engineer Sergio Pablo Gutiérrez, 63, and we recognize the swift and effective work of the Santa Marta Metropolitan Police, the Gaula, and the GOES group," the mayor wrote on his social media. SEE ALSO Pinedo said the rescue took place in less than 24 hours and asked that those responsible receive the corresponding sanctions."We hope the full weight of the law falls on those involved in this condemnable kidnapping," the mayor added. Authorities continue gathering evidence to establish how the engineer was held, who planned the kidnapping, and whether those detained may be linked to other extortion or deprivation-of-liberty incidents recorded in the capital of Magdalena. Follow all the news from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. EL TIEMPO NEWSLETTERSSign up for our newsletters and receive news in your email according to your interests. Stay informed about what really matters to you. EL TIEMPO GOOGLE NEWSFollow us on GOOGLE NEWS. Always stay up to date with the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on Google News. EL TIEMPO WHATSAPPJoin the El Tiempo channel on WhatsApp to stay up to date with the most relevant news as it happens. EL TIEMPO APPStay informed with the EL TIEMPO app. Get the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on your device. SUBSCRIBE TO THE DIGITAL EDITIONReliable information for you. Subscribe to EL TIEMPO and access our journalistic content without limits.