The authorities They carry out a search operation to locate Nancy Yaneth Gómez Sánchezsocial manager of Uribia and wife of the mayor of that municipality, Jaime Buitrago Garcíaafter being kidnapped by a group of armed men on the morning of this Wednesday, November 11when leaving a gym in this town.
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Nancy Gómez Sánchez is a psychologistrecognized for its vocation for service, its spirit of solidarity and its commitment to social causes. Sports lover and with a deep sense of belonging, has built a career marked by its disposition to help and work for communities, especially for populations in vulnerable conditions.
She served as coordinator in the psychology service ESE Our Lady of Perpetual Help Hospital of the municipality of Uribia, before her husband was elected mayor.
Nancy Gómez and Jaime Buitrago García. Photo:Social networks
He was born in the municipality of MaceoAntioch; She is the daughter of Bernardo Gómez and Luz Mila Sánchez, and is second among four siblings. His social sensitivity he got stronger during his studies of Psychology, a profession that he has practiced with dedication and vocation, working in different areas and maintaining a close bond with the communities that require support.
In the family environment, He shares his life with Jaime Luis Buitrago Garcíawith whom he has been in a relationship for 24 years: 21 years of free union and three years of marriage. From this union his two children were born: Ali David and Sebastián Buitrago Gómez, both minors.
The kidnapping
The social manager She was intercepted while leaving a gym in the municipality of Uribia around 6:20 in the morningby several armed men dressed in black, who They were traveling in a white Toyota truckCopetrana type.
Nancy Gómez and Jaime Buitrago García. Photo:Social networks
In dialogue with EL TIEMPO, Lieutenant Colonel Hector Dazacommander in charge of the La Guajira Police Department, confirmed that, after learning about the case, search protocols were activated and a padlock plan to try to locate the woman and find those responsible.
From Cerrejón we reject the kidnapping of Nancy Gómez, wife of the mayor of Uribia, and we express our solidarity with him, his family and the entire Uribia community. We call for respect for life and liberty, and we hope for your soon safe return home. Today we accompany Uribia and his people, with the hope that this situation will have a quick and safe outcome. @uribia_guajira @jaimebuitrago1_
— Cerrejon Colombia (@CerrejonCol) November 11, 2026
As the officer explained, the Police coordinates actions with the National Army to carry out controls on the trails that lead to the sector of Winpeshiin the border area with Venezuela, given the possibility that the victim be transferred to that territory.
The Police Commander added that the authorities they are verifying related information with a possible threat that he would have received the social manager the previous year.
For the moment, the authorities have indicated that They have preliminary information and operational deployments continue to establish what happened and achieve its location.
Reactions in La Guajira
The kidnapping provoked pronouncements of rejection and solidarity of departmental authorities, municipal leaders and political organizations, which They demanded immediate action to guarantee the return of Nancy Gómez.
Among the first reactions was that of the mayor of Maicao, Miguel Felipe Aragonwho expressed his support for Jaime Luis Buitrago and his family. The president called for strengthening coordination between security agencies to locate the victim and restore peace in La Guajira.
The social manager of Uribia is a mother and wife of the municipal president. Photo:social networks
The governor Jairo Aguilar Deluque also condemned the kidnapping and confirmed that established communication with the National Government and the Ministry of Defense to coordinate operations. Besides, announced the displacement of the Gaula director to La Guajira to support the search efforts.
We repudiate and regret the kidnapping of Nancy Gómez, wife of the mayor of Uribia, Jaime Buitrago, which occurred today at 6:10 am. From the first moment, I activated communication with the National Government and the institutional capacities have been fully deployed and we established an immediate action plan, in coordination with the National Government and the Public Force. We have coordinated directly with the Minister of Defense and General Mora. Likewise, the director of Gaula will travel to La Guajira to lead the actions and strengthen operational coordination that will allow for his prompt release. We will spare no institutional efforts to achieve their safe return.
— Jairo Aguilar (@jaiaguilar) November 11, 2026
To these demonstrations The Attorney General’s Office joinedwho rejected the fact and highlighted the social work developed by Gómez in Uribia, and the Conservative Partythat demanded his immediate release and unconditional.
President ordered padlock plan and does not rule out ELN participation
The president Abelardo de la Espriella announced the activation of a lock plan and the deployment of Public Force units to close possible escape routes, especially towards the border with Venezuela.
The head of state pointed out that the first information point to possible participation of the National Liberation Army (ELN), although he clarified that this hypothesis is still under verification. So far there is no official attribution of responsibility.
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As the operations progress, the authorities try to establish the route used by the kidnappers and determine who is behind the incident. The family of the social manager remains waiting for information about his whereabouts.
Eliana Mejía Ospino, special for EL TIEMPO. Riohacha
