Colombian National Arrested in Barranquilla, Accused of Plotting Terror Attack in Lithuania

Colombian authorities have arrested a 21-year-old man wanted by Lithuania on charges of plotting a terrorist attack and spying for Russia.

Jesús Ramos Santos was detained Sunday in the city of Barranquilla, Colombian police announced Tuesday.

Lithuanian officials allege that Santos, who reportedly grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia, arrived in Lithuania last September to gather intelligence on a company supplying drones to Ukraine.

He is also suspected of planning an attack near a NATO airbase in the city of Šiauliai.

Santos’s mother, Amaya Santos, told Russian news outlet Agentstvo that her son holds Russian citizenship and that their family moved to Russia when he was four years old. She insists he has no connection to the terrorism or espionage allegations.

Authorities say Santos will be extradited to Lithuania within five working days. According to Colombian police, he had been placed under the custody of the Attorney General’s Office to expedite the process.

The case comes amid heightened tensions in Europe over alleged Russian espionage and sabotage targeting support for Ukraine.