The recent attacks in Cauca, in addition to being vicious, show the EMC’s desire to maintain its territorial control through violence.
Photo: EFE – Ernesto Guzmán
Iván Mordisco and his group of criminals continue to betray Colombia in their attempt to challenge the Government of Gustavo Petro. The recent attacks in Cauca, in addition to being dastardly, show the desperation of the members of the Central General Staff (EMC) to make their strength felt. The response of the Casa de Nariño is the only possible one in the face of irrationality: reinforce the presence of the authorities, insist on the “total offensive” that President Petro decreed a couple of weeks ago and continue putting pressure on the criminals.
The facts are deplorable. With an explosion, Iván Mordisco and his group murdered a minor and a 67-year-old man who were traveling along the road that connects Corinto with Miranda (Cauca). Later, at the point of rifle bursts and throwing tattoos at the Morales Police Station, also in Cauca, they murdered two uniformed officers. Finally, in Jamundí (Valle del Cauca), a motorcycle bomb was detonated against a hotel where the police who came to reinforce security in the area are staying. This latest attack left three children and a police officer injured. So much pain, so much devastation, for what purpose? Any aspiration to have political recognition has disappeared to demonstrate that what this sector of the EMC wants is to maintain its territorial control through violence.
Therefore, the only possible reaction is the one taken by the Petro Government. In his X account, the president said that “the offensive against the EMC in Cauca is total.” A permanent security council was established in the region and a key change was made at the top of the Army: General Luis Ospina, with an opaque performance in the command, was replaced by Luis Emilio Cardozo, a retired Valle del Cauca military officer. The Ministry of Defense noted that “the Government is confident that General Cardozo’s vast experience and leadership will be fundamental.” We hope it is. The mandate is twofold: on the one hand, to demonstrate that the Colombian State can exercise control over the disputed territories and pursue criminals, while at the same time guaranteeing human rights. The promise with the arrival of Iván Velásquez to the portfolio was to eradicate the practices of past administrations to justify abuses of authority for the sake of security. In the current circumstances, it is the opportunity to demonstrate that the State can achieve security without having to deviate from legality.
We find ourselves, once again, in the situation that Colombia is so familiar with: carrying out peace negotiations in the midst of violence. It is necessary, however, for the Government to demonstrate that any challenge to stability and peace is responded to with the power of public force, protecting the populations. The Vice President of the Republic, Francia Márquez, pointed this out in a message regarding this crisis: “We want to tell Cauca and its people that they are not alone, that we are not going to stop in the search for better living conditions, with peace and dignity.” . It is the Government’s responsibility to fulfill those promises.
It is true that the security reinforcement comes late in the Petro administration, which miscalculated the will for peace of all those in arms. The hand of dialogue can continue to be extended, but it needs to be accompanied by the strength of the State, so that we do not continue to see fear grow.
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