President Abelardo De La Espriella confirms the rescue of kidnapped dentist Brandon Fermín Olivares in Cúcuta: three people have been arrested

NewsThree people were captured for the kidnapping of dentist Brandon Fermín Olivares Cobos, after his rescue. Photo: National PoliceJOURNALIST14.11.2026 15:59 Updated: 14.11.2026 16:17 Members of the National Police's Unified Action Group for Personal Liberty (Gaula), in coordination with the Army and the Mayor's Office of Cúcuta, managed to restore freedom to dentist Brandon Fermín Olivares Cobos, who had been held captive since the morning of Friday, November 13, in the capital of Norte de Santander. READ ALSO President Abelardo De La Espriella confirmed the capture in flagrante delicto of three suspects, including a taxi driver who allegedly participated in the kidnapping and two people who were guarding the victim. Three people were captured for the kidnapping of dentist Brandon Fermín Olivares. Photo: National PoliceThe rescue took place in the María Gracia neighborhood, where authorities caught three people linked to the abduction in flagrante delicto. READ ALSO Among those apprehended are a taxi driver who participated in transporting the victim and two guards in charge of watching the professional. The abduction had begun in the Niña Ceci sector, and the captors demanded 100 million pesos from the family. Details of the investigation and those capturedPresident Abelardo De La Espriella highlighted the work of the Public Force, while the dentist's father reported that the kidnappers claimed to belong to the 'Tren de Aragua'. READ ALSO "Our National Police, through the Gaula and in an operation carried out in Cúcuta, rescued safe and sound the dentist Brandon Fermín Olivares Cobos, who had been kidnapped in the morning hours of November 13," said the head of state. The three captured individuals would have identified themselves as alleged members of the 'Tren de Aragua' READ ALSO "The kidnappers demanded 100 million pesos for his release. Three captured in flagrante delicto! Among them are the taxi driver who participated in the kidnapping and two people who were guarding the victim. As reported by the dentist's father, the kidnappers identified themselves as members of the narcoterrorist group 'Tren de Aragua'. My recognition to the men and women of our National Police for this result," he noted. READ ALSO Colonel Pedro José Saavedra Pinzón, commander of the Cúcuta Metropolitan Police, pointed out that citizen collaboration and intelligence work facilitated locating the property. READ ALSO Of the three implicated (two men and one woman), the two men have criminal records for crimes including homicide and aggravated simple kidnapping, among others. In the operation, the taxi, three cell phones, and a 9-millimeter pistol were seized. The detainees were placed at the disposal of the Attorney General's Office. CAROLINA BOHÓRQUEZEL TIEMPO CorrespondentSee more newsTips from Pamela Ospina. Photo: 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. Receive 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.