In a shocking plot against American soldiers, two Colombian nationals have been sentenced to decades behind bars.

Andres Fernando Medina Rodriguez, 40, and Ciro Alfonso Gutierrez Ballesteros, 31, were handed sentences of 35 and 30 years in prison, respectively.

Their crime? Attempting to murder U.S. troops by orchestrating a car bomb attack near the Colombia-Venezuela border.

How It All Began

Medina Rodriguez and Gutierrez Ballesteros weren’t acting alone.

They collaborated with members of the 33rd Front, a radical faction of the notorious group FARC (Las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias).

Their mission was clear: target American troops stationed at the Colombian 30th Army Brigade Base in Cúcuta.

Medina Rodriguez, a former army officer with insider knowledge, used his military background to gain access to the base. Armed with a camera, he scouted the areas where U.S. soldiers were most vulnerable.

The Bomb Plot Takes Shape

Roughly 10 days before the planned attack, Medina Rodriguez and Gutierrez Ballesteros delivered a white SUV to their extremist co-conspirators.

This wasn’t just any vehicle—it was loaded with a homemade explosive, ready to unleash devastation.

On June 15, 2021, the plan was set in motion. Medina Rodriguez drove the explosive-laden SUV right to the base, parking it in a spot where both U.S. and Colombian military personnel worked.

Gutierrez Ballesteros wasn’t far behind, following on a motorcycle.

Once inside the base, Medina Rodriguez activated the bomb’s timer and quickly made his exit on foot.

Gutierrez Ballesteros then picked him up on the motorcycle, and the pair fled the scene.

The Aftermath of the Explosion

The impact was immediate and devastating.

The blast injured three U.S. Army soldiers and 44 Colombian military personnel.

Thankfully, none of the injuries proved fatal, but the attack served as a stark reminder of the dangers soldiers face even outside of direct combat zones.

International Cooperation and Investigation

The investigation that followed was an international effort.

The FBI, with help from its Legal Attaché in Bogotá, worked alongside Colombian authorities, including the Fiscalía General de la Nación de Colombia and the National Police.

Together, they managed to unravel the conspiracy and secure the arrests of Medina Rodriguez and Gutierrez Ballesteros.

Legal Action and Sentencing

Bringing these men to justice required the expertise of several legal professionals.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Browne and Abbie Waxman from the Southern District of Florida, along with Trial Attorney David C. Smith from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, led the prosecution.

Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randy A. Hummel and Andy R. Camacho also played critical roles in the investigation and prosecution.

The extradition of the two men from Colombia to the U.S. was made possible by the collaboration between the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of the Judicial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, and Colombian authorities.

What’s Next?

With Medina Rodriguez and Gutierrez Ballesteros now sentenced, the focus shifts to preventing future threats.

The case highlights the importance of international partnerships in counterterrorism efforts, especially as extremist groups like FARC continue to pose a danger in the region.

Moving forward, authorities will remain vigilant, working together across borders to ensure the safety of military personnel and civilians alike.

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