Representative of the United Nations asked Ivan Duque to investigate the events in Puerto Leguizamo

The UN Special Representative in Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, head of the Verification Mission, called for a thorough investigation into the Army operation in Putumayo that has been questioned for alleged human rights violations, including the deaths of civilians reported as casualties in combat and alleged members of armed organizations.

“The department of Putumayo has been affected by violence in recent weeks. I emphasize the importance of a thorough investigation by the authorities into the deaths of 11 people, including indigenous people and community leaders in the context of an operation against members of an illegal armed group in Puerto Leguizamo,” Massieu said before the UN Security Council and before President Ivan's intervention. Duke in that body.

Before discussing the situation in Putumayo, the head of the Verification Mission stated that two weeks ago he visited Arauca. “Region facing a critical situation, more than 100 people were killed and thousands forcibly displaced this year,” and he therefore raised before the Council the call of social organizations to take measures to reduce violence.

“Arauca is an example of the situation of violence in several forgotten regions that have to deal with illegal armed groups, illegal economies and the limited presence of the State,” added Ruiz Massieu, a situation that Putumayo would also experience.

“Violence is also taking a heavy toll on indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, with forms of murder, displacement and recruitment of minors,” added the head of the Verification Mission.

In this regard, he also urged the implementation of the Peace Agreement, which has a range of interrelated mechanisms, not only to end violence with the FARC, but also deep-rooted factors that generate violence in the country.

“Progress towards achieving rural reforms, which have been needed for so long, and against narcotics, especially through voluntary crop substitution, will strengthen reintegration and security,” said the representative to the UN.

The operation in the Alto Remanso village, in Puerto Leguizamo in Putumayo, was justified by the Minister of Defense, Diego Molano, due to the presence of what he called “narcococaleros”, that is, related to illicit crops.

However, a minor aged 16 died during the operation; Divier Hernández, president of the Community Action Board, and Pablo Panduro, indigenous governor of the Bajo Remanso reservation, died in the operation, as well as a pregnant woman. Communities and social organizations claim that at least six of the people killed in the operation, presented as members of the FARC dissidents known as Commandos de la Frontera, were actually unarmed civilians.

The operation also resulted in the seizure of five rifles and one pistol, a figure lower than the death toll (11). Likewise, the community held a bazaar, children were present, they denounce the manipulation of the scene and the bodies by members of the Army and that they were forced to remain confined to the main court for up to 5 hours.

Ruiz Massieu insisted on maintaining efforts in the implementation of peace and promoting them, to ensure that ex-combatants carry out their life projects and achieve the objective of the agreement. “In a world of geopolitical divisions, endless wars and the multiplication of conflicts, Colombia sends a very clear message: it is time to invest in peace,” he said, quoting the words of the secretary general in the country.

He also called on all parties, civil society and political leaders to recognize the progress and commit themselves to advancing the missing elements.

President Duque, for his part, stated: “Our nation has zero tolerance against any human rights violations by law enforcement agents. But it also has a public force that every day in the territory wins the affection of citizens.”

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