Colombia’s top police chief has told how he has used exorcism and other religious rituals to defeat the crime-ridden country’s drug lords.
General Henry Sanabria revealed that even notorious cocaine trafficker Pablo Escobar was brought down with divine intervention.
The drug cartel leader died in a hail of bullets as he tried to escape from a police siege in 1993.
General Sanabria said: “The existence of the devil is certain. I have seen it, I have perceived it.”
During the interview with local media, when he mentioned the devil, Sanabria reportedly made the sign of the cross.
Sanabria made the claims in his office surrounded by crucifixes, statues of the Virgin Mary and other religious symbols.
Guerrilla leader Alfonso Cano was also brought down by religion, he said, when the FARC leader was shot and killed in 2011 after a helicopter attack,
Throughout the interview, reports local media, the police chief quoted from the Bible, causing significant discussion on social media.
The General said that criminals often used “witchcraft” and told how one police officer, while praying, had shot and killed a criminal.
He also claimed that during protests against Ivan Duque’s government, 34 demonstrators had passed in front of him and other police officers in a threatening manner.
Sanabria said: “I took out my crucifix and placed it on top […] They picked up everything and left. The policemen looked at me.
“They did not dare to ask me what had happened.”
Colombia’s President, Gustavo Petro, gave only partial support to his police chief.
He said: “We know about the general’s beliefs, but what we are trying to do is ensure that those beliefs do not affect the rules, it’s that simple.
“I think he has been respectful, as far as we know.”
Sanabria also said that he was against abortion and the use of condoms, which he considers to be “methods of abortion”.
Colombia’s most senior police officer also caused controversy last October when he said that Halloween is a “satanic” party.
And on 8th March, International Women’s Day, he posted a tweet that has been widely described as macho.
He said: “The charm of a woman makes her husband happy, and if she is sensible, she makes him prosper. A discreet woman is a gift from the Lord.”
