2024-08-28 05:24:29
The governor of Tolima, Adriana Magali Matiz, expressed her concern about the growing violence in the department, following the recent attacks perpetrated by illegal armed groups in Dolores. The governor stressed the urgent need for territorial control and a greater presence of the Public Force in the region.
On August 16 and 17, the municipality of Dolores was the scene of an armed incursion that lasted for two consecutive nights. On this occasion, the attackers used drones to harass the civilian population and security forces, a modus operandi that had already been seen on August 2 in the municipality of Ataco. Later, on August 23, the Dolores military base was attacked again, which increased tension and the feeling of insecurity in the region.
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Criminal articulation
Matiz highlighted that these attacks show a growing criminal coordination between the armed structures of Cauca and the Ismael Ruiz front, a dissident group of the FARC, which has consolidated its presence in Tolima since 2019. “We are extremely alarmed by what is happening in the department,” said the governor, who has been warning about the high risk posed by the geographical proximity to the departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca. According to Matiz, these territories are the cradle of illegal armed groups that could easily invade Tolima.
In light of this situation, the governor reiterated her call to the National Government to reinforce territorial control and deploy a greater number of troops in the region. “We request territorial control and the presence of the Public Force in the territory,” she emphasized.
Controlling the purchase of drones
In addition, Matiz expressed her concern about the use of drones in these attacks. According to the president, it is not enough to increase the presence of the Public Force; it is necessary to implement technological measures to combat this new form of harassment. “Prevention is a very important issue; control mechanisms must be established to reduce the risk due to the ease with which drones are acquired on the market. This is an urgent measure that the National Government must take,” she stressed.
The situation in Tolima remains tense, and the population expects national authorities to respond quickly to the requests of the governor, who warns that without effective and preventive control, violence could continue to escalate in the department.
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