Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino confirmed on Monday that eight soldiers died during fighting in a border area with a group of FARC dissidents.
“So far, there have been nine casualties from these terrorist groups, and unfortunately we have suffered the loss of eight comrades in the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB),” Padrino said in an unquestioned appearance about the fighting that began on March 21. passed into the state of Apure (on the border with Colombia).
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The information disseminated so far by military sources was very rare and did not even clarify which armed group they are facing, despite the fact that they disseminated photographs of uniforms confiscated with the logos and acronyms of the former FARC guerrilla. Also, several associations with members from the area confirmed that they are dissidents from the FARC.
Padrino also did not confirm which group the members of the gang he is fighting with belong to and that, in addition to the 8 deaths, 34 soldiers “who received medical assistance in the military health network” were injured, of which 21 ” they were discharged with all their treatments ”. During the operation, they deactivated 16 antipersonnel mines installed by the armed group, which, he admitted, affected the soldiers and the “land assets of the army”.
The Venezuelan state of Apure has remained the epicenter of a bloody game of political chess, in which many illegal armed groups coexist due to a cruel and permanent neglect of the state. As the accusations come and go from the governments of Colombia and Venezuela, accusing themselves of responsibility, about 6,000 people have arrived in Arauquita (Arauca) fleeing a foreign conflict to them.
Sebastiana Barráez, a Venezuelan journalist specializing in military matters, explained to this newspaper on March 27 that this time the Venezuelan army “attacked many houses and detained a lot of people. And, although this situation is not yet clear, or who the detainees are, there are indications that some of them are civilians, that they are not guerrillas ”. In videos known for viewer business can be seen looted as the local community denounces the army.
“Where the operation took place (on March 21) is an area called Urdaneta Parish, in the municipality of Páez, Apure state. In this area, in particular, the structure of the 10th Farc-Ep front has grown the most. And it makes sense, because Arauquita was the strongest control area of the FARC before demobilization. From La Victoria and its rural area, Front 10 had the capacity for social and economic control, I would not say territorial, but controls and strengthened drug trafficking routes, “said Naryi Vargas, social researcher on territorial security issues daily on 27 March.
Activate the special defense zone
Padrino commented that, by order of President Nicolás Maduro, a “temporary special operational area of integral defense” had been activated in the area, which would be commanded by Major General Alejando Javier Benitez Marcano with “coordination staff”.
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They also activated a comprehensive brigade, called the Negro Primero, under the command of General Wilfredo Alexander Medrano, “to whom the necessary military units and equipment will be assigned.” Likewise, the defense minister explained that Maduro “ordered extraordinary measures”, which include the creation of “a security zone in the municipalities of Páez, Muñoz and Romulo Gallegos”, all in Apure and where most of the fighting takes place.
As part of these measures, the FANB Strategic Operational Command will design and implement “special public security plans to deal with destabilizing actions” that threaten peace, personal security and “the protection of public and private facilities and assets.” To guarantee internal order, civil peace and human rights. “
He also commented that this order, through the Apure Comprehensive Defense Operational Area and together with civil, regional and municipal authorities, “to protect human rights”, will establish restrictions and transit programs.
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Similarly, they will impose “time restrictions on the functioning of public and private places”, in addition to the implementation of security control measures “to guarantee public services and the peace of citizens”.
The military will conduct inspections
Finally, Padrino said that the army deployed in the area “will be able to inspect movable and immovable property in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” as well as “evacuation of illegal public property occupations that affect the security and defense of the nation.” “.
He also warned that military units “will intervene to restore free movement in urban or rural areas if it is disrupted”, in addition to launching “other actions that guarantee free development and peace in the region”. According to the minister, after three weeks of clashes and 17 deaths, “the region returns to normal”.