Civil Guard authorities in Maracena arrested a suspect connected to the disappearance of Vanessa Romero, a councilor from the same government team, as new details emerged about the hours she was missing. The arrest followed inquiries into an incident involving a simulated firearm that reportedly did not discharge real bullets. Sources tied to the investigation informed the news agency EFE about the group under scrutiny and the ongoing operations related to it.
The detainee remains in police custody, and officials indicated that he would not appear before a court until the upcoming Friday, by which time the maximum 72-hour detention period would have expired. The victim, Vanessa Romero, who serves on the Agenda 2030 committee, was last seen while accompanying her children to school in Atarfe. Reports state that a man approached Romero and allegedly requested a ride to a nearby gas station, prompting a chain of events that led to the investigation.
Romero, who previously held a role in City Planning, reportedly briefed Civil Guard authorities about possible connections between the kidnapping and sensitive information she possessed regarding municipal government affairs. There was a sense of urgency as authorities continued to piece together the sequence of events that placed Romero in danger and triggered the subsequent administrative response.
The victim was later located by members of the security forces on Thursday, though officials did not confirm to EFE whether the incident had progressed to a formal update or if there would be any changes to prior statements or actions related to the case. The updates reflected the evolving nature of the investigation and the cautious approach taken by law enforcement as they sought to preserve all avenues of inquiry.
Esperanza Romero, the victim’s aunt and a council member from the mixed group within the Maracena City Council, spoke with reporters in the presence of a commander. She stated that the victim had been unwell and preferred not to speak at that moment. She emphasized that the issues at hand were between the victim and the mayor, noting that there had been tension but stopping short of assigning blame or drawing premature conclusions about a broader conspiracy.
In reflecting on what had occurred, Esperanza Romero suggested that the victim would be willing to speak out after she had time to process the incident, should authorities and the family be prepared for her account. She added that she would likely address the matter publicly after appropriate considerations and consultations with legal counsel and council colleagues.
The councilor for the mixed group refrained from commenting on any potential link between the kidnapping and alleged irregularities within the administration, citing her political position and concerns about potential repercussions. She indicated she preferred to focus on the welfare of the community and the integrity of the investigation rather than engage in speculative discourse. Observers described the situation as marked by a cautionary approach from all parties, with the matter continuing to unfold as investigators gathered evidence and testimonies.
As the case develops, officials are urging calm and cooperation from residents while they pursue a thorough and methodical inquiry. The public remains attentive to updates from the authorities as they work to establish the facts surrounding the incident, the motives involved, and any connections to municipal governance that may emerge from ongoing reviews and interviews. The priority remains the safety of individuals involved and the transparent communication of findings as the legal process progresses.