Increasing the foot of force, rewards and care for victims, strategies to deal with violence in Magdalena

Due to the complex public order situation that is reported in the vicinity of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, on April 20 the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Carlos Alberto Baena, arrived in the area. The official met with representatives of the local government and members of the security forces to organize a plan to attack the criminals present.

Recently it became known that the most critical situation is experienced by Ciénaga, particularly the Unión and La Secreta villages. There, during the last week, fighting has intensified between the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC), better known as the Gulf Clan, and the Conquistador Self-Defense Forces of the Sierra, known as Los Pachenca.

Because of this situation, Deputy Minister Baena spoke with the mayor of Ciénaga, Luis Tete Samper. The local law enforcement official revealed to him data that the investigation carried out so far by the authorities, such as those who would be participating in this conflict, which would be about 150 men from the Pachecas and 50 from the Gulf Clan. In addition, the reasons for the conflict.

With this in mind, the measures ordered include the ratification of the increase in the force foot with 250 military personnel composed of five platoons to protect the La Secreta village. In addition, this will be complemented by operations to capture and prosecute members of illegal groups,

In addition, the Government of Magdalena announced that it will have more than $4 billion to implement security strategies in the department.

“We have had a resource bank in order to encourage people to collaborate with the capture of these leaders of the criminal structures that are violating the human rights of the people of Magdalena and generating displacement in the Sierra Nevada,” said Carlos Caicedo, Governor of Magdalena.

As a result of these clashes, in recent days 200 peasant families (667 people) had to flee their homes. In addition, three deaths were reported, of which two of the victims had already been identified. These are Franklin Caballero and the young Victor Mojica, who, according to the authorities, were not related to these illegal groups.

In order to care for the victims, a roadmap began to be drawn up together with different State institutions. The importance of transparency in the process of returning displaced persons was emphasized and that it should be voluntary.

“The Victims Unit, with the Mayor's Office of Ciénaga and the Government of Magdalena, are working to provide adequate humanitarian care to victims in order to ensure the voluntary and non-tax return of the population, once the National Army issues its respective report to the Transitional Justice Committee to evaluate the return within the comprehensive action plan to accompany communities,” said Baena.

Authorities confirmed that the Gulf Clan and Los Pachenca are vying for control of territory in Magdalena, especially in the vicinity of the Sierra Nevada. Likewise, they want to hoard drug trafficking routes, microtrafficking and charge extortion from coffee farmers. They also seek to forcibly recruit young people in the area.

This situation is not recent. At the beginning of this year, armed combat was even reported between the two groups in the Sierra Nevada. The crossfire was recorded in videos recorded by inhabitants of the area and in the material it is heard that the shots are constant and come from different parts of the Sierra.

At that time, the affected communities asked the Santa Marta Metropolitan Police, the National Army and President Iván Duque to take measures to prevent the situation from escalating. Specifically, they asked to increase the force foot and that more patrols will be carried out in the population.

It was until now that measures were taken to protect the population. The authorities assured that they are committed to the mission and constant checks will be carried out to prevent the actions of the Gulf Clan and Los Pachenca.

“The men and women of the National Army reiterate our commitment to the communities that need us most, their safety and well-being are our priority. All our capabilities are at the service of the Colombian people,” the security forces ratified.

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