2024-08-28 02:03:30
Luis Francisco Ruiz, governor of Caquetá, said that the injuries suffered by a minor in Guayabal, San Vicente, are proof that the FARC dissidents do not want to make peace.
Luis Francisco Ruiz, governor of the department of Caquetá, spoke out firmly following the unfortunate incident in which a nine-year-old girl was seriously injured after falling into a minefield, allegedly installed by FARC dissidents in the Cristo Rey area, a rural area of San Vicente del Caguán. This incident, which occurred on August 24, has generated a wave of indignation in the region and throughout the country.
Governor Ruiz expressed his absolute rejection of what he considers to be yet another example of the lack of will for peace on the part of the illegal armed groups operating in the department. “(The girl was in) an area where civilians met, she stepped on an anti-personnel mine and lost her lower limb. Thanks to the helicopter transport of the Military Forces, she was able to be evacuated and is now in critical condition,” said the governor, stressing the seriousness of the situation.
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Disputing the area
According to authorities, the minefield was allegedly installed by factions of the FARC dissidents, who are fighting for control of the area. These factions, led by aliases ‘Calarcá’, ‘Iván Mordisco’ and the so-called ‘Segunda Marquetalia’, have maintained a constant and dangerous presence in the region.
Ruiz also referred to the recent visit of the Minister of the Interior, Juan Fernando Cristo, who highlighted the complicated situation of public order in Caquetá. The governor pointed out that, although these armed groups appear to be in a peace process, in reality they are strengthening themselves militarily, economically and politically. “The crime of extortion has skyrocketed” in the department, said Ruiz, adding that the territorial control exercised by these structures “is becoming increasingly greater.”
The regional leader questioned the effectiveness of the ceasefire decree, warning that it has allowed these armed structures to use the department as a rearguard to avoid military operations in other areas where the ceasefire was suspended. According to Ruiz, the governors of the affected departments “feel tied up” and, in the case of Caquetá, the armed structure of the dissidents exceeds 1,200 men.
The crimes continue
Ruiz was emphatic in pointing out that “the actions of the military and police forces are restricted by this decree and those who suffer the most are the civilian population: merchants, farmers and ranchers.”
Regarding the peace talks and the Total Peace initiative promoted by the National Government under the leadership of President Gustavo Petro, Governor Ruiz expressed his skepticism. “It is clear that there is no real desire for peace in these armed structures,” he said, stressing that “armed actions and extortion crimes continue” by these groups, which calls into question the viability of a true peace process in the region.
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