2024-09-23 03:02:31
On the afternoon of Saturday, September 21, a new attack with explosives was reported targeting a National Army tank in the area of Beyotes, municipality of Tame, Arauca. Authorities attribute the attack to the National Liberation Army (ELN), which allegedly used a bus as a decoy by crossing it on the road to distract the troops. Shortly after the explosion, a rifle attack increased the tension in the area. Fortunately, so far no fatalities or injuries have been reported.
Ombudsman Iris Marín Ortiz condemned the attack and expressed her concern about the violence in the region. “Unacceptable attack with explosives against @COL_EJERCITO in Arauca a few minutes ago. Violence will never be the way. We demand absolute respect for the life and human rights of all people,” she commented on her social networks, relieved that there were no fatalities in the incident.
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The National Army, through the Eighth Division, reported that the attack was directed at an armored vehicle of the 18th Cavalry Group Reveiz Pizarro, while it was traveling on the road between Tame and Betoyes. According to the statement, the troops that were targeted in the attack are out of danger.
This attack comes just four days after the Puerto Jordán military base in Arauca department was attacked, leaving three soldiers dead and more than 30 wounded. The ELN claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging that units of the Eastern War Front carried out the attack with their own artillery on September 17.
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The insurgent group claimed that its operation was in response to what they consider to be the Colombian Army’s protection of paramilitary groups, referring to alias “Pescao” as a supposed ally of the military forces. This episode and the recent attack in Tame are an example of the persistent violence that plagues the region, where the armed conflict continues to put the lives of communities and uniformed personnel at risk.