Chilling last photo of woman in ‘bomb collar’ that ‘almost decapitated | World | News
A haunting photograph capturing the final moments of a dairy farmer trapped in a horrific ‘bomb collar’ secured by armed intruders has resurfaced on social media. The image, which recently resurfaced on social media platform Reddit, depicted what was described as “an extremely sophisticated device with three detonation mechanisms” secured around 53-year-old Elvia Cortés Gil de Pachon’s neck by armed assailants back in 2000, later identified as terrorists from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
They invaded the victim’s residence just outside Chiquinquira on May 15, 2000, and affixed the explosive collar around her neck with adhesive. They also left a recorded message demanding a ransom of approximately $7,500 (around £5,600, equivalent to nearly £11,000 today).
Colombian army bomb disposal specialists worked for approximately six hours attempting to neutralise the device. The attempts were unsuccessful, and it exploded at approximately 1pm. Army Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Roa informed reporters at the time that Elvia had been “practically decapitated” by the blast. Police bomb disposal technician Jairo Lopez also lost his life in the explosion, and other officials were injured.
Andres Pastrana, Colombian President at the time, then called off scheduled peace negotiations with FARC representatives. “The men of violence have placed a necklace of dynamite … around the hope of all Colombians,” he stated.
“The FARC’s attitude must change, Forty million Colombians who want peace are demanding that change. I demand this (rebel group) demonstrate … its will for peace,” he also said.
It was later revealed by Armed forces chief Gen. Fernando Tapias that FARC rebels had fastened the “necklace” of PVC pipe packed with dynamite around Elvia’s neck in order to compel her husband to hand over a ransom the guerrillas referred to as a “war tax.”
An army spokesperson said that Elvia had been specifically targeted for the “atrocious experiment” after she had recently ceased paying extortion money.
