Gerardo Aguilar Ramírez, known by his nom de guerre César, was a Colombian guerrilla leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

For five years he was in charge of FARC's hostages, including former presidential candidate Íngrid Betancourt.

[2] On 4 July 2008, Radio Suisse Romande reported that unnamed "reliable sources" had told it the rescue took place after a payment of US$20 million by the United States.

General Padilla argued that if any payment had been made, it would have been better to make it publicly known, to use it as an incentive and to cause confusion within FARC's ranks.

During the helicopter flight the military personnel suddenly turned on Aguilar, subduing and disarming him and his accomplice before announcing their identities to the now-free hostages.