According to local media, members of this armed group set fire to two buses last night after forcing passengers and drivers to abandon the vehicles; meanwhile, traffic blockades were reported on the *Troncal del Caribe* (Caribbean Highway), the region’s most important road corridor.

  As a precautionary measure, the Santa Marta Mayor’s Office suspended academic activities at public educational institutions—primarily in Guachaca, Bonda, Minca, and Once de Noviembre, as well as in areas directly affected by the public order disturbances.

  A report by the newspaper *Hoy* further indicated that private schools also decided to comply with the class suspension measure as a preventive step.

  Directives issued by the Mayor’s Office restricted—for a 24-hour period throughout Santa Marta’s urban and rural areas—the presence of a passenger (regardless of sex or gender) on motorcycles and motor scooters, on both public roads and private roads open to the public.

  The deterioration of public order followed an operation in which the individual known as “Cholo”—the ACSN’s second-in-command and financier—was reportedly killed.

  According to a statement, the military action resulted in the deaths of seven members of the group and the capture of three others; preliminary seizures included 10 rifles (including a .50-caliber Barrett), two grenade launchers, two pistols, eight 40mm hand grenades, and a large quantity of military hardware.

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