“Criminals and terrorists have Bogota and our families as their main objective”: Claudia López

On Tuesday, April 5, the mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, warned that in the midst of the complex electoral process that has been marked by polarization, and less than two months after the first presidential round takes place, the capital and the citizens are under criminal and terrorist threat.

Through a video she shared on social networks, the president of the capital announced the ten measures that will be taken by the district administration and public forces in order to strengthen security and prevent regrettable events such as the terrorist attack perpetrated against the Immediate Care Command (CAI) of the National Police in the City Bolivar, in which two minors died and at least 30 people were injured.

“Because of the tense and polarizing electoral contest we are experiencing, criminals and terrorists of all kinds have Bogotá and our families as their main objective. This has been confirmed to us by all the military and intelligence forces. We've already had two terrorist attacks in less than a month. About 39 families in pain, with wounded, and two children killed. We have to make every effort to prevent and not have to regret,” said Mayor López.

In this regard, he noted that ten measures of “prevention and protection in safety for the city” will be adopted, which were determined between the district administration and the public forces, and which he assured are based on data and evidence collected by the authorities, with the aim of strengthening the security of citizens in an electoral period in which violence has intensified.

Among the measures, which will take effect this week in the city, are: the willingness of another 1,000 police officers to ensure security in the different localities, 164 of whom will be present in Ciudad Bolivar; he also indicated that a team of 120 people dedicated to intelligence will be launched with the with the aim of pursuing criminals and terrorists who seek to attack the capital.

In addition, 20 additional Army and Police teams will be launched to those who were already present in the capital to guard the entrances and exits; at the same time, the greatest reward that exists in the country was presented by the leader of the 33rd front of the FARC dissidents, alias John Mechas, who is credited with the attack terrorist perpetrated in the Arborizadora Alta neighborhood.

“But security measures are not enough, we must also have measures for citizen collaboration. Half of these crimes are committed by these criminal organizations, but the other half of the crimes and security concerns come from citizen behavior. That is why we have asked citizens for solidarity and collaboration for five measures,” said the mayor in response to some strategies that have been criticized.

In relation to these measures, he referred to the closure of parks at 10:00pm; the linking of nightlife establishments to a security front; the closing of bars that operate illegally as social clubs; and that motorcyclists can identify themselves on their vest and helmet “so that criminals who use motorcycles, who are not the majority of motorcyclists who are decent citizens, who commit robberies, assassinations, murders and attacks can be identified and prosecuted”.

He also indicated that the use of barbecue grills on motorcycles will be restricted between 7:00 at night and 4:00 in the morning, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, a measure that has been strongly criticized in the capital.

“I understand that these measures for citizens imply changes in our behavior, which affect our legitimate daily life, that make us uncomfortable, but it is for the safety of everyone. What criminals are waiting to see is not the ability to harm each other, but the capacity for care and prevention,” concluded the mayor of the capital.

Some sectors of citizens, such as the case of motorcyclists, have expressed their criticism of these measures which, despite their ineffectiveness in strengthening security, restrict freedoms, violating the rights of citizens.

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