Within the framework of the arduous operation carried out by the Colombian Navy to eliminate the threat of anti-personnel mines in Colombia and in compliance with the commitments acquired by our country after the signing of the Ottawa Treaty, the official presentation of the municipality of Puerto Carreño, capital city of the department of Vichada, as free of suspicion of these Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was made.
During the celebration of the anniversary No.48 of the creation of the municipality of Puerto Carreño, the Colombian Navy officially presented to the civil authorities and the inhabitants of Vichada the document certifying that this area of the country is free of suspected anti-personnel mines.
This operation was carried out by a team of the Demining Battalion and Amphibious Engineers that carried out the investigation of an accident that occurred in 2006, encouraging its review and prevention operation to be extended to five hamlets, seven reservation and four indigenous communities, and also to train during this tour more than 1,100 inhabitants at risk of mines in order to prevent possible accidents with these devices.
The announcement of this important project was made at an event chaired by the Governor of Vichada, Álvaro León Flórez; the Mayor of Puerto Carreño Jair Esteban Beltrán Hinojosa and Rear Admiral Carlos Alberto Serrano Guzmán, commander of the Naval Force of the east, who made the official presentation of this municipality as “Free of Suspicion of Contamination by Anti-Personnel Mines.”
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia
