Colombian Navy rescues nine citizens kidnapped by the ELN

A group of inhabitants of Chocó remained abducted for about 48 hours. Nine citizens, including six adults and three minors, were held, allegedly by members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), and subsequently rescued by the National Navy and the National Army.

According to the authorities, on Friday afternoon (April 22), the victims were traveling in a public transport boat that departed from Buenaventura, in Valle del Cauca, to the municipality of Docordó, on the coast of San Juan, Chocó. Apparently, when they were sailing in the waters of the latter department, exactly in the Papayo sector (Litoral San Juan), they were intercepted by four armed subjects of the ELN who forced the boat to take another course.

The incident was denounced by the Chocó Civic Participation Network and once the Navy was notified, search and rescue work began. It was indicated that for the operation an increase in the power foot and the deployment of a River Combat Group composed of a river support patrol boat and a river patrol boat were deployed. Likewise, an aircraft of the naval institution and a platoon of the Titan Joint Task Force of the National Army that constantly patrolled the riverbank of the San Juan Litoral.

After hours of searching, the security forces found the boat and the people being held illegally. Military personnel aboard the river units found the location of the victims, but they had to be rescued by air so as not to jeopardize their integrity and that of the rest of the citizens who inhabit the area.

Once they were safe, the authorities accompanied the victims to the municipality of Docordó for a reunion with their families. This Sunday, medical and psychological assistance is being provided to the abductees in order to ensure their well-being.

The act was rejected by the security forces, which called for respect for the lives of civilians and international humanitarian law. He also recalled the importance of reporting any illegal action or activity.

According to figures from the Office of the Ombudsman of Colombia, illegal groups operating throughout the country have 34 people kidnapped. The entity noted that of the cases, 28 occurred in previous years, while so far in 2022 six plagiarisms have been reported. It is mentioned that this figure could be higher, since it is not ruled out that more people have been abducted and their relatives have not reported threats.

“The report of the first month of the year submitted by the different regions of the entity throughout the country indicates 34 cases of people who remain abducted. Six new cases have already been reported so far in 2022, but the number may be higher due to the difficult public order situation in regions such as Arauca, where many inhabitants prefer to remain silent in order not to be attacked by illegal armed groups,” said the Ombudsman's Office.

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