Caldas. A satisfactory report of security was presented today by the Minister of Defense, Luis Carlos Villegas, during his visit to Manizales (Caldas), where, together with the authorities of the region, he analyzes the public order situation of the department, in the framework of the national operation against crime.
During his visit to the capital city of Caldas, Villegas said that in 12, of the 27 municipalities, in the department, there have been no reports of violent deaths or extortion kidnappings so far in 2018.
"To date, in Caldas we have a homicide rate of 19 per 100 thousand inhabitants, that is, six less than the national average. In Manizales that average rate is 18 per 100 thousand, even lower than that of the department. The other municipality we analyzed was La Dorada, a municipality with a violent past, in which today the homicide rate is still below Manizales: 16 per 100 thousand inhabitants, "informed the Minister.
He in the same way said that so far in 2018 in the department, other crimes such as robbery to people, residences, shops and motor vehicles have been reduced by four and 70 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. Today only nine cases of extortion have been reported to the authorities.
"When we finish the interventions (of demining) there will be a light intervention on some rural areas of Manizales and Marulanda. The moment in which Caldas can be declared as a free anti-personnel mines department for the tranquility of the inhabitants of rural areas is very close," he said.
Finally, with the purpose of strengthening the security of this department of the Coffee grower Region, the Minister said that about 58 members of the National Police and 36 soldiers will arrive to strengthen rural security.
Source: Ministry of National Defense.
