Thanks to the military operations framed in the respect of human rights and international humanitarian law, this year powerful blows were dealt against crime in the country and it was possible to save the lives of these minors, to whom their rights were restored.
In ten departments of the country this problem occurred with greater severity, and troops arrived there with the accompaniment and unified operation of the State to recover these minors. In first place is the department of Cauca, where 72 minors were recovered; in second place, the department of Antioquia, with 68 minors recovered; third place, the department of Valle del Cauca, with 39 minors recovered; fourth place, the department of Choc贸 department, where 29 minors were recovered; fifth place, Meta, with 29 minors recovered; sixth place, Huila, with 27 recovered minors; seventh place, Nari帽o, with 23 recovered minors; eighth place, Tolima, with 19 recovered minors; ninth place, Santander, with 17 recovered minors; tenth place, Norte de Santander Department, with 12 recovered minors, and finally another 112 minors were recovered in other departments of the country and put under the protection of the Colombian Family Wellbeing Institute.
In the same way, within the framework of the Campaign Plan of the Ayacucho Military Operation 2023-2026 Plus, whose strategic objectives are to protect the inhabitants, weaken the resources of the threat and protect governance, Colombian National Army has carried out powerful military operations that weaken the logistical and financial component of the organized armed and criminal groups that converge in different areas of the country.
Operations against drug trafficking
Classified as the engine responsible for the illicit activities of criminal structures. This problem has been powerfully weakened during 2024 through the finding of 73 tons of cocaine hydrochloride and 115 tons of marijuana, exceeding by 16% the goal set for 2024. This narcotic would cost 48,900,065,702 pesos, so the marketing of 5,777,750 doses is stopped. In the same way, 14,864 kilograms of coca base paste were found by troops with an estimated cost of 56,086,576,158 million pesos and the distribution of 14,864,000 doses is prevented. These findings were carried out in 44% in the Pacific region; 39%, in the Andean region; 8%, in the Amazon; 7%, in the Caribbean, and 2%, in Orinoqu铆a.
In the same way, 15,929 gallons of cocaine in process were found by troops, 2418 laboratories for the production of illicit substances, with 1,080,641 kg of solid precursors and 294,932 gallons of solid components, necessary in the production of drugs, and 1289 seedbeds were found by troops, in which 5,948,267 coca bushes were found by troops.
Arrests, voluntary surrenders and surrenders to justice
Similarly, in a joint, coordinated and inter-institutional manner with the Colombian Aerospace Force, the Navy, the Police and the Attorney General's Office, 11,961 people were arrested, 8,876 linked to common crime; 1,236 to organized criminal groups; 1,076 to the Clan del Golfo; 619 to residual groups; 154 to drug trafficking and ELN. In the same way, 75 voluntary surrenders and 615 surrenders to justice were made by alleged members of illegal armed groups, and 143 individuals linked to these organizations were reported killed in the framework of military operations.
Through this a total damage of 12,794 events related to arrests, surrenders to justice, voluntary surrenders and death in the framework of military operations was possible.
We helped 140 Colombians to regain their freedom
During this year it was possible the liberation, by pressure of the military forces, of 86 people and the rescue of 54 people by military units, Colombians who were being victims of the problem of extortion kidnapping and that thanks to the timely denunciation, through the Military Gaula (Anti-Extortion and Anti-Kidnapping Group) line 147, they regained their freedom.
Controlled destruction of explosives and finding of weapons
The timely operation of the units prevented the achievement of 12,350 terrorist operations that would be executed against the inhabitants and Military Forces, with the finding and destruction of 6776 explosive devices and 5574 anti-personnel mines. These controlled detonations were carried out mostly in the departments of Putumayo, Meta, Cauca and Nari帽o. In addition, 2951 firearms and 321,475 units of ammunition of different calibres were found by troops.
Environment protection
As for the conservation of the natural resources and biodiversity of the country, and in the activation of the lines of operations Mutis and Amazonia, the planting of 3,667,417 seedlings of native specimens of cedar, oak, nacedero, cachimbo and coffee walnut was carried out; as well as, of frailejones and wax palm, contributing to the recovery of 2833 hectares of tropical forest, which had been hit by the indiscriminate felling of trees.
In the same way, 400 mining deposits were found by troops without permits to be exploited; 397 mining production units, 297 dredgers, 189 yellow machinery elements and 179,318 tons of coltan were found by troops; this mineral being essential in the technological and electronic industry.
Troops in the same way found 246 illicit valves, 74 illegal refineries and 242,552 gallons of fuel, which helped to curb the use of stolen petroleum in the production of narcotics.
Deployment of the military operation
The military operations in the country continue in a sustained manner and framed in the respect of human rights and international humanitarian law. With regard to Operation Perseo, a military strategy executed since the 12th in the village of El Plateado, municipality of Argelia, Cauca, it will continue for as long as necessary to promote the well-being and security of this region and its inhabitants.
Homeland, Honor, Loyalty!
Source: National Army
