Investigation of the death of a Fifth Brigade Major in Barrancabermeja

This March 27, a terrible event occurred in Barrancabermeja (Santander), as a major of the Fifth Brigade Command would have taken his own life inside the military installations. The uniformed man was identified as Major Juan Pablo Colorado Hoyos and who was part of the Fifth Brigade

In a statement, the Fifth Brigade of the National Army announced the news of the death of Major Colorado. The document assures that the Attorney General's Office is investigating the facts to determine what happened.

“The situation was brought to the attention of the Attorney General's Office in order to initiate the urgent acts and the investigation process, in order to establish the circumstances of time, mode and place in which the regrettable event occurred”, can be read in the statement issued by the National Army.

For its part, the Fifth Brigade Command assured that the corresponding disciplinary inquiry was initiated and they also sent a greeting of solidarity and condolences to the elder's family.

In the statement, the Fifth Brigade Command announced that it will provide a medical and psychosocial team to the relatives of Major Juan Pablo Colorado Hoyos so that they can better deal with the tragic loss.

Last Saturday, December 25, 2021, Colombian President Iván Duque confirmed the deaths of four soldiers at the Colombian Navy command located in San Andrés.

According to preliminary investigations, three of the soldiers died after being attacked with a firearm by a fourth soldier who, after killing them, allegedly decided to commit suicide.

“We are deeply hurt by what happened inside the Navy command premises on the island of San Andrés, where four heroes lost their lives. We express to the families our solidarity and commitment to quickly clarify this regrettable fact,” said the head of state.

Noticias Caracol, one of the media that reported the events, assured, through the journalist Daniela Morales, that the soldier who was accused of murdering his companions was suffering from cases of depression, in fact, according to what the journalist explained, the man was already under observation for that disorder.

This pair of cases illustrate a problem within the Armed Forces, since in 2021 alone, more than 41 soldiers committed suicide, according to an investigation by Caracol Radio. The vast majority of these cases were within the National Army (34), followed by the National Navy (5) and the Colombian Air Force (2).

For its part, the Directorate of Health ensures that in almost all cases there is no evidence of mental or behavioral problems or disorders of the victims. The Army, for its part, says that in most cases suicidal behavior is triggered by problems in the family nucleus, marital or marital problems and events of their own within the war.

In 2021, there were at least 443 suicide attempts among members affiliated with the Military Forces Health Subsystem, of which 120 were active military personnel or are serving in military service.

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