This Sunday, testimonies were heard from inhabitants of the Alto Remanso village, in the municipality of Puerto Leguizamo in Putumayo, who witnessed an army operation that left 11 people dead, presented as FARC dissidents; but among whom there are several civilians, such as a minor, a pregnant woman, a indigenous governor and a chairman of the Community Action Board.
The testimonies, revealed by the newspaper El Espectador, the portal Vorágine and the magazine Cambio, suggest that instead of a confrontation against criminals, the result of the operation could be a massacre committed by the Army. In addition, there are irregularities such as possible manipulation of the scene and bodies, irregularities in the notification to the judicial authorities, and false results, such as the capture of four criminals that never happened.
Faced with these facts that focus the questioning of military action, several presidential candidates have spoken out. Some from personalism, trust or distrust in institutions and campaign promises, as well as pullas to the national government.
The first to speak out was Gustavo Petro, candidate of the Historical Pact, who has questioned the operation since the complaint of human rights organizations was heard, given the possibility that most of the casualties were civilians.
From the beginning, Petro described the operation as a “war crime” and “murder” of indigenous people and peasants. This generated an exchange of messages with the Minister of Defense, Diego Molano, who described the dead as “narcococa growers” and “criminals” who allegedly attacked the Army; although the testimonies of the inhabitants differ radically.
Now Petro reiterated his questions: “The Minister of Defense called me a liar for criticizing his war crime against the population of Putumayo. In my government, honour will be the axis of the public force, merit will be the path of promotion and arms will defend freedoms and rights,” he said.
Sergio Fajardo was the second to speak out, who agrees with Petro in stating that it was a murder of civilians. Ever since evidence came out that the operation took place in the midst of the civilian population holding a bazaar, the candidate of the Esperanza Center Coalition has asked that the Minister of Defense and the president assume the responsibilities.
“An army cannot kill civilians, steal and manipulate bodies. A Government cannot present a disproportionate and vile action as a successful operation. A country is not viable if we do not correct and regain confidence in institutions,” Fajardo said about the new testimonies that have been known.
Federico Gutiérrez had not commented on the operation until this Sunday. In his message he maintained confidence in the military forces and their actions in accordance with human rights, but requested urgent investigations to clarify what happened in Puerto Leguizamo.
“The Armed Forces have and will continue to have as their norm rigorous respect for human rights. They will be instrumental in strengthening security and the best ally of the community. I ask the authorities to urgently investigate complaints about what happened in Putumayo,” Gutiérrez said.
Ingrid Betancourt did not hesitate to describe the event as a false positive and requested that there be convictions. “A false positive is the most egregious human rights violation in recent history. There can be no impunity. The government has to do what it takes to clarify. The State has to protect us in order to regain confidence and allow reconciliation,” said the candidate.
Alvaro Gomez, Luis Perez, Rodolfo Hernandez and John Milton Rodríguez have not made public their positions regarding the different versions of the operation, which are expected to advance the results of the judicial investigations in the coming days.
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