A 23-year-old Colombian woman, identified as Karen Julieth Ojeda Rodriguez, has been arrested for her alleged involvement in multiple targeted killings, including the recent assassination of her ex-boyfriend.
Known by the alias “La Muñeca,” which translates to “The Doll,” Rodriguez is accused of orchestrating high-profile murders linked to the Los de la M gang, as reported by Libertad Digital.
A notorious figure in Barrancabermeja
Rodriguez, described by police as a leader of a group of hitmen who terrorized the municipality of Barrancabermeja, was apprehended following an ambush operation. Her arrest comes amidst a broader investigation into gang-related violence in the region.
One of the most notable incidents tied to Rodriguez occurred on July 23 in Piedecuesta, a rural area of Colombia. According to police, Rodriguez lured her ex-boyfriend, Deyvy Jesus, under the pretense of resolving a financial dispute. As Jesus arrived, he was ambushed and fatally shot by two men on motorcycles, allegedly acting under Rodriguez’s orders.
Arrest of accomplices and seizure of weapons
Rodriguez was detained alongside her alleged accomplice, Paula Valentina Joya Rueda, 24, known by the alias “Gorda Sicaria,” or “Fat Hitwoman.” Both women had been under police surveillance for their connections to organized crime. Another accomplice, identified as “Leopoldo,” was also arrested in the operation. Law enforcement seized a revolver and a 9-millimetre calibre pistol during the arrests. Authorities are currently investigating whether these weapons were used in the recent killings.
Police response and impact on the region
Lieutenant Colonel Mauricio Herrera of the Magdalena Medio Police described the arrests as a significant breakthrough in dismantling the gang’s operations. “With the arrests of ‘La Muñeca’ and ‘Leopoldo,’ a period of calm has been created in the region,” Herrera stated. He further emphasized that these developments mark progress in addressing the criminal structures behind the area’s recent surge in homicides.
Widespread violence in Colombia
The arrests come against the backdrop of Colombia’s ongoing struggle with violence. According to the World Population Review, the city of Bucaramanga, home to over 1.3 million people, records a murder approximately every three days. Rodriguez’s case underscores the challenges Colombian authorities face in curbing gang-related violence and dismantling criminal networks that operate with impunity in various regions. Investigations into the full extent of Rodriguez’s activities, including her ties to Los de la M, remain ongoing.
