Soldiers from the Titan Joint Task Force destroyed twelve explosive devices in the rural area of the department of Chocó in the last two weeks.
These elements were installed by illegal armed groups that have a criminal presence in the department.
The first event occurred during area clearance procedures, in search of explosive devices, with the destruction of three antipersonnel mines (APM), by troops from the Land Operations Battalion No. 25, in the San Agustín village, in the municipality of Sipí, with the purpose of providing a safe environment and protecting the civilian population that moves through that area daily. These explosive devices were apparently installed by the Gulf Clan.
Likewise, in the rural area of the community of Chanú, municipality of Bojayá, troops from the First Line Infantry Battalion No. 12, through the use of anti-explosive technicians, located and destroyed three antipersonnel mines in a controlled manner, reaffirming the commitment to the protection of life by the troops of the National Army. These explosive devices were apparently installed by the ELN.
For its part, in the rural area of the indigenous community of San Cristóbal, district of Potedó, municipality of Istmina, and at the urgent call of the community, troops from the Land Operations Battalion No.26 with support from the Marine Infantry River Battalion No.24 and with the purpose of guaranteeing a safe and protected environment, they carry out area clearance activities and with an Explosives and Demolitions team they achieve the location and destruction in a controlled manner of two antipersonnel mine-type explosive devices with a pressure activation system , which would be used in attacks against the Public Force and the civilian population, these explosive devices were apparently installed by the ELN.
In the same way and thanks to the institutional commitment, in the general area of the municipality of Riosucio, Chocó, Teguerre village, troops from the Bajo Atrato Jungle Battalion Nº54, through the use of the Explosives and Demolitions Team (EXDE), achieve the location and subsequent destruction in a controlled manner of 04 Antipersonnel Mine (APM) type explosive devices, apparently installed by the explosive alias “Pantera” of the Gulf Clan, thus minimizing the effects on military units and the civilian population.
The twelve explosive devices had a pressure activation system and due to their characteristics, they could have affected at least 100 Chocoans. The above shows a clear violation of the principles of International Humanitarian Law, by the illegal Armed Groups; Likewise, the use of this type of weapons violates the fundamental rights of people to life, liberty, security and tranquility.
So far in 2024, in the department of Chocó, the Titan Joint Task Force has destroyed 46 explosive devices in the development of military operations, of which 29 correspond to Antipersonnel Mines (APM).
