Luis Francisco Cuéllar facts for kids

Luis Francisco Cuéllar Carvajal (born December 22, 1940 – died December 22, 2009) was an important politician from Colombia. He served as the Mayor of Morelia, the Governor of the Caquetá Department, and also as a Deputy Governor. He is remembered for being taken against his will multiple times by an armed group called the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). He sadly passed away after his last abduction.

About Luis Francisco Cuéllar

Luis Francisco Cuéllar was born in Timaná, Huila, Colombia, on December 22, 1940. Before he became a politician, he worked as a cattle rancher. He married Imelda Galindo de Cuéllar in 1968. They stayed together until his death. Cuéllar was a Roman Catholic.

Luis Francisco Cuéllar's Political Work

Cuéllar served as a deputy for the Caquetá Department from 2000 to 2003. A deputy is like a representative for a region. He then became the governor of Caquetá from January 1, 2008, until he passed away on December 22, 2009.

He also worked as the mayor of Morelia from 1996 to 1998. As mayor, he was the main leader of the town. In 1997, he shared his experiences of being held against his will. He also met with families whose loved ones were being held by FARC.

Cuéllar was a member of two political groups: the Indigenous Social Alliance Movement and the Colombian People's Party. While he was governor, he helped create the Cuéllar Public Health Laboratory in Florencia. He also made sure that schools in Caquetá received new sports facilities from other countries.

Times Luis Francisco Cuéllar Was Taken

Luis Francisco Cuéllar was taken against his will four times by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). This happened between 1987 and 1999. Money was usually demanded for his release.

First Time: 1987

In 1987, Cuéllar was first taken. FARC members came to his farm and waited for him. He was released after money was paid.

Second Time: 1990

In 1990, he and his wife were taken. They were released after money was paid. Two months later, his wife and his brother, Orlando Cuéllar, were taken again. They were released a few days later.

Third Time: 1995

Cuéllar was elected Mayor of Morelia in 1995. While he was mayor, he was taken near Morelia. His wife, her sister Agnes, and his driver were also taken with him. They were held for seven months. They were released after money was paid.

Fourth Time: 1999

In 1999, Cuéllar was taken near a church. He was released after money was paid to the FARC again.

Luis Francisco Cuéllar's Last Abduction and Passing

Luis Francisco Cuéllar was taken by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on December 21, 2009. His family said they had been worried about threats before this happened. On December 22, 2009, his body was found by security forces near Florencia.

No group immediately said they were responsible for taking him. However, President Uribe said the FARC was to blame. In January 2010, Henry Lopez Sarmiento, a FARC commander, was arrested. He was thought to have planned Cuéllar's abduction.

See also

In Spanish: Luis Francisco Cuéllar para niños