This structure of the ELN is responsible for the displacement of the indigenous communities of Juradó in Chocó, due to the clashes with the GAO “Clan del Golfo” due to the control of drug trafficking routes.
In the framework of the operations against the organized armed groups that are disputing the mobility routes in the department of Chocó, the Colombian Navy in a joint operation with the Colombian Air Force and with the judicial support of the National Police, a blow was dealt to the armed structure and the finances of the ELN's western war front, with a bombing on a camp zone of the company 'Néstor Tulio Durán' that led to its destruction and the neutralization of a ringleader and the explosives expert of the aforementioned structure.
The operation was carried out in the Octavia sector of the municipality of Juradó, in the department of Chocó, by the troops of the Pacific Naval Force and several Units of the Colombian Air Force, which through the Air Combat Command No.7, found the camp in a mountainous area of difficult access. After the operation and during the inspection, two lifeless bodies were found, with six rifles, a pistol, six hand grenades, 11 units of pentoflex explosive, 30 electric detonators, among other elements.
The individuals were identified as alias “Leonel” or “Fermín”, head of a structure of the company 'Néstor Tulio Durán' and alias “James”, expert in explosives. In the area, operations continue to be held to maintain military control of the area.
Alias 'Leonel or Fermín', 32, according to his criminal profile apparently began to commit crimes, in 2006 as a militiaman on the 57th Front of the Farc and later, with the ELN, he was entrusted, last year, to take control of drug trafficking in the area of the border with Panama.
This ELN structure is responsible for the displacement of the indigenous people of El Cedral community, on April 24, 2019, to the community of Dos Bocas. He is also accused of the attack against troops of the Marine Infantry Brigade No.2 in Patajoná in the municipality of Juradó; where an infantry man lost part of his leg, when activating an Improvised Explosive Device.
This operation considerably hits the command of this structure, its armed organization and the finances of the Néstor Tulio Durán Company of the ELN, because it is financed by the activities related to drug trafficking, extortion, homicide, kidnapping and social menaces against indigenous and afro-descendant communities near the municipalities of Juradó and Bahía Solano, which suffer the action of the members of this terrorist organization, and /or forced recruitment.
The Military Forces call on the members of the ELN to demobilize and enter the demobilization campaigns that the National Government has prepared for reincorporation into civilian life.
Source: Pacific Naval Force
