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Colombian government strengthens security in Catatumbo region

Bogotá, Jan 24 (Prensa Latina) Soldiers and police remain deployed in the Catatumbo region due to the violence generated by the clashes between armed groups in that region of northeastern Colombia.

According to information from the Ministry of Defense, in several municipalities of the department such as Cúcuta, Tibú, El Tarra, and Ocaña, security was reinforced to support civilians.

According to the Ministry, there are already 40,282 displaced people due to the confrontations between the National Liberation Army, and a residual group of the extinct Revolutionary Armed Forces-People’s Army Structure 33. It also noted that there are already 35 members of Structure 33 who have submitted to justice and handed over their weapons to the Army.

The Ministry added that so far troops have carried out 548 evacuations, 25 of which correspond to peace signatories, and 115 tons of different items have also been distributed as aid to those forced to leave their homes.

The Ministry of Defense said that at least six former guerrillas were killed in the context of the conflict, while 15 remain missing.

Defense Minister Iván Velásquez said that the Public Force deployed personnel to safeguard the lives of communities that require it in the Norte de Santander department. He mentioned that one of the priorities is the offensive operations to stabilize the territory.

For eight days, the Catatumbo region has been experiencing a security crisis due to the fighting that armed groups are engaged in. Although the exact number of fatalities has not been released, local authorities in Norte de Santander estimate that it could be close to 80. To date, there are also thousands of people confined, and there are also reports of people being held by the ELN.

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