- In 2021, the Military GAULA carried out 1,288 tactical missions to combat and eradicate the crimes of extortion and kidnapping.
- 70 interventions were carried out in prisons, which led to the dismantling of multiple criminal groups.
During 2021 the thirty two Military Gaula (Anti-Extortion and Anti-Kidnapping Group) units achieved great achievements, including the return home of 61 Colombians who had been kidnapped by organized armed groups and common criminality and thanks to the immediate and determined reaction of the GAULA (ANTI-EXTORTION AND ANTI-KIDNAPPING GROUP), who, in coordination with the Attorney General's Office, the National Police and the Units of the Military Forces, are now safe and sound with their loved ones.
As for the rescues and releases, it should be noted that 126 kidnappings were reported in 2021 related to illegal armed groups and common criminality. The Military GAULA (ANTI-EXTORTION AND ANTI-KIDNAPPING GROUP) rescued 20 citizens and obtained the release by pressure of another 41, so the community hit by that crime of kidnapping didn’t pay $1,202,000,000.
It is noteworthy that due to the pandemic situation and given the circumstances in which the community was forced to carry out many of the activities virtually, the modality of False Service was one of the most used by criminals who through deceit turned some citizens into victims of extortion, a situation in which the Military GAULA (ANTI-EXTORTION AND ANTI-KIDNAPPING GROUP) reacted decisively and activated different operations to work for the good physical condition of Colombians and protect their assets.
The results in the same way included 1,288 tactical missions in which 1,358 were arrests for the crime of extortion, 194 for kidnapping and 953 for other crimes involving forced displacement, association to commit crimes, homicide, trafficking and illegal carrying of weapons. In comparison to the previous year, GAULA (ANTI-EXTORTION AND ANTI-KIDNAPPING GROUP) operations increased by 42% in 2021.
Thanks to these arrests for extortion throughout the national territory, many of them in flagrante delicto, the community perceived tranquility and an atmosphere of security was generated when it didn’t pay $1,784,879,600 pesos for this crime; 275 extortions have been thwarted.
In the framework of the intervention in prisons it is worth noting that during the year 2021 one of the most important aspects in the fight against the problem of extortion were the raids in prisons of high and medium security, through the 70 raids carried out in coordination with the GAULA (ANTI-EXTORTION AND ANTI-KIDNAPPING GROUP) of the National Police, the office of the Prosecutor General of the Nation and the National Penitentiary and prison Institute - INPEC, it was possible to dismantle multiple groups who perpetrate this crime.
In the same way the commitment of the Military Gaula (Anti-Extortion and Anti-Kidnapping Group) to the community every day was strengthened in the framework of the institutional campaign I don't pay, I denounce as evidenced in the number of prevention operations during the year 2021 where 40,748 people were trained with the procedures in case of extortions incoming calls or visits, so it was possible to contact with the colombians through the 54.401 radio messages, 948 visits to media, 705 accompaniment to activities, 1,699 installation of checkpoints, 1,015 information stand , 11,272 events of Plan Presencia, 1,841 day and night loudspeakers operations, 905,777 brochures distributed and 54,693 installations of posters with the free of charge line 147, which led people to trust and report these crimes and so that the troops reacted effectively.
It should be noted that the purpose of these activities is to invite the people to denounce the kidnapping and extortion and to strengthen the relationship with these special groups and the community, the productive sectors and with all who may be a victim of these problems, for this reason this year there was an emphasis on LINE 147 through the official Twitter account @GaulaMilitares, at Instagram Gaula militares, at the tik tok @gaulamilitares with which it has been expanding national coverage and promoting good self-care practices, achieving to date 15,662 followers.
Another aspect to highlight is that differential Resources were enhanced by providing the fleet with state-of-the-art technology with the acquisition of 15 tactical vehicles specially designed for Military GAULA (ANTI-EXTORTION AND ANTI-KIDNAPPING GROUP) in their fight against kidnapping and extortion.
