The non-technical study teams of the Humanitarian Demining Engineers Battalion No. 4 began their work in four sectors of the municipality of Caruru, Vaupés, to verify 71 events, accidents or incidents with explosive devices.
Excluding the urban area, the Arara Bacati, Caruru and Lagos de Jamaicuru indigenous reserves, the part of the Vaupés indigenous reserve and the Amazon Forest Reserve and the Nukak National Natural Reserve are free of suspicion of anti-personnel mines.
Although there were no victims of explosive devices in this area of the country, the mine clearance specialists rescued 137,346 square meters that make it possible for the Amazon region to consolidate as a special area of environmental and cultural importance of Colombia.
"Once again we can tell Colombia that the department of Vaupés receives a municipality of importance, such as Caruru, free of suspicion of anti-personnel mines. Caruru is important for several factors, one of them the richness of its flora and fauna, as part of that great lung of the world as the Colombian Amazon is. This municipality, with the non-technical studies of the Demining Battalion N. °4 and with the help of the participation of the local authorities, ethnic communities that make up this territory, achieved the liberation of 137,000 square meters with investigations on suspected mines, which benefits the four ethnic communities," said Lieutenant Colonel Diego Reina, commander of the Humanitarian Demining Engineer Battalion No. 4.
In the same way, Sergeant José Valencia Granados, leader of the non-technical studies team, narrated the operation that led to declaring this territory free of suspicion of anti-personnel mines: "Initially, the entrance to this municipality was complex. There were several days of waiting to be able to enter, since it was only possible by air. In Caruru, we find it difficult to enter the indigenous communities of this municipality, since the only access route is by the Vaupés River. The weather conditions sometimes did not favor us, since the water level dropped and it was impossible to enter the territories.
Thanks to the logistical support of the municipal mayor's office, the boats provided by the 52nd Rainforest Battalion and the constant security it was possible to enter. Subsequently, the ethnic meetings were held and the investigation of the events were carried out. Thanks to the communities that were ready to provide information about the events that took place in the different sectors, and to the willingness to carry out the community liaison, which was essential to fulfill the mission and declare the municipality of Caruru, Vaupés, free of suspicion of the presence of explosive devices."
More than 3,000 inhabitants of Caruru celebrate the clearing of their territory and it is expected that tourist activities will intensify.
Source: Press - National Army
