On the first anniversary of Operation Catatumbo, the Chief of defense of Colombia, General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto, presented a positive report on the strategic deployment in this region. The high official highlighted that the primary objective remains the protection of life, the safety of the inhabitants and the restoration of stability in the territory.
During this first year of intense operations in the northeast of the country, the coordinated work conducted by Colombian National Army, the Aerospace Force and the National Police has managed to deal significant blows to the criminal structures operating in the area.
Some of the most important achievements are :
Arrests: More than 160 members of criminal structures put into custody of justice.
Demobilizations: 161 members of organized armed groups who voluntarily abandoned their weapons.
Child protection: Recovery of 42 minors who had been illicitly recruited.
Findings of weapons: A large number of long and short weapons and ammunition of various calibers.
Prevention of attacks: Seizure of more than 3,200 kilos of explosives and improvised devices, neutralizing direct threats against people and critical construction.
General López Barreto emphasized that the success of the operation lies in the joint and coordinated action with other government institutions. According to the commander, this is not only a military victory, but also a step towards the consolidation of the State in one of the most challenging regions of Colombia.
"This effort is not only military, it is institutional and strategic, and also of the community. We know that Catatumbo is a complex region, with many challenges, but we continue to work hand in hand with the institutions for the stability of the territory," the General said.
The Military Forces reaffirmed that every action carried out within the framework of Operation Catatumbo is carried out under strict respect for Human Rights and observance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), fundamental pillars of its constitutional mission.
"Trust us, the security of the Catatumbo is a shared responsibility. Keep trusting in your Military Forces, your soldiers have never failed the Colombian people," the Commander General concluded his speech with a message of support to the inhabitants of the Catatumbo region.
Source: Strategic Communications - General Command of the military forces
