The Specific Command of Cauca, a unit of the Third Division of the National Army, informs:
1. In events that occurred on July 13, 2022, in the municipality of Corinto, Cauca, and during a search operation carried out in the framework of operations coordinated with the National Police, troops of the Apolo Operational Command were attacked indiscriminately by members of the residual Organized Armed Group, GAO-r, Dagoberto Ramos Ortiz.
2. As a result of the attack, our Captain Ervin Leonardo Salamanca Baldión, of the High Mountain Battalion No.8 Coronel José María Vesga, died; he was an officer born in the municipality of Paz de Ariporo, Casanare, with more than 10 years in the military Forces.
3. In the same way, in these events two men of the National Police got injuries, who were taken to the city of Cali and were assisted at the Valle de Lili Clinic. In the last few hours, this institution confirmed the death of one of them.
4. The judicial procedure carried out by members of both institutions was directed against alias Wicho, the main ringleader of the support network of the residual structure of the aforementioned organized armed group that commits crimes in this area of the department. During the exchange of fire, alias Wicho was injured and was taken to the municipality of Padilla, where he later died.
5. This Command, through a multidisciplinary team, conducts the respective internal processes to continue accompanying the family of our hero, reiterating heartfelt condolences to partners and family of our brave officer, highlighting his sacrifice and responsibility to institutional duty.
6. At the moment, military operations are underway, with the aim of finding the perpetrators of the attack and working to restore security in this municipality in the north of the department of Cauca.
