At El Plateado - Cauca, the Commanders of the Military Forces, carried out the closing of the year in a territory that has historically been hit by the criminal operations of organized armed groups, where the Military Forces had not been for more than 10 years.
Reaffirming that there are no territories closed to the Military Forces, thanking the more than 1,400 men who entered since last October 12th in the framework of Operation Perseo. The military commanders led by Admiral Cubides, highlighted the commitment of the more than 222 thousand soldiers, sailors and airmen to continue protecting the nation and providing security conditions to all Colombians.
These are the most important results of 2024…
Military operations led to significantly weakening the structures of Organized Armed Groups (GAOs) and Residual Armed Groups (GAO-r) in key departments such as Arauca, Cauca, the Catatumbo region and southern Bolivar. These operations led to a sustained pressure on the mobility routes and logistical structures of these groups, damaging the expansion of their territorial criminal influence. 447 firefights were reported, which represents an increase of 52% compared to the previous year.
In 2024, 114 terrorist attacks were neutralized, an increase of 44% compared to the previous year, which contributed to protecting both the members of the Military Forces and the inhabitants.
During 2024, Organized Armed Groups (GAO), Residual Organized Armed Groups (GAO-r), Organized Criminal Groups (GDO) and Organized Common Crime Groups (DELCO) were beaten, resulting in the neutralization of 14,684 members, of these, 9,817 were from DELCOs, 1,700 of the GAO Clan del Golfo, 1,449 from GDOs, 1,140 of the GAO-r Estado Mayor Central, 339 of the GAO-r Segunda Marquetalia and 239 of the GAO ELN. All of this, represented in 13,281 arrests, 681 surrenders to justice, 481 recovered minors, 152 Deaths in the framework of Military Operations (an increase of 57% compared to the previous year), in addition to 89 voluntary surrenders (an increase of 17%).
In the same way, it was possible to find 3,510 weapons and neutralize 18,672 explosive devices, which represents an increase of 88% compared to the previous year.
The operations against the illicit extraction of mining deposits in 2024 left outstanding results. With the finding and immobilization of 1,417 engines, motor pumps and electricity generators, 472 sinkholes, 362 dredges, 34 big dredges, 177 units of yellow machinery and 36 units of other machinery used for the illicit extraction of these materials.
In terms of drug trafficking, the figures are historic: more than 626 tons of cocaine hydrochloride were found by troops (35% more than the previous year) and 209 tons of marijuana. In addition, 2,816 coca paste base laboratories and 135 cocaine hydrochloride laboratories were destroyed. Much of this success in the fight against this transnational crime is the product of international cooperation, which led to significant interceptions in Latin America, the United States, Europe and Australia with Colombian military intelligence information.
These significant results, hitting in a powerful way the criminal interference of these criminal groups and their illicit activities, contribute to the security of the inhabitants.
On the side of the Colombians…
During the recent wave of rains, the Military Forces once again demonstrated their commitment to the well-being of Colombians. Through an unprecedented logistical deployment, they transported tons of humanitarian aid to the hardest-hit areas.
The Colombian Aerospace Force, flew more than 237 hours for the transport of personnel, food, medicines and basic necessities. For its part, the Colombian Navy transported more than 332 tons of humanitarian aid in support of the communities of Chocó and La Guajira; while Colombian National Army, provided assistance to isolated communities, distributing thousands of food baskets and humanitarian aid kits, assisting more than 7,000 families.
With 590 Development Support Activities and more than 24,000 Comprehensive operation activities, the Military Forces benefited more than 616,000 Colombians, with services in health, education and food, among others.
In this way, the more than 222 thousand men and women who make up the Colombian Military Forces ratify their commitment to the protection and development of Colombians for 2025, protecting life in the mountains, seas, skies, plains, rivers, rainforests, coasts, paramos and island areas of the country, denying the use of these spaces for criminal organizations.
Source: General Command of the Colombian Military Forces
