Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino confirmed on Monday that eight soldiers were killed in fighting in a border area with a group of FARC dissidents.
“To date, there have been nine victims of these terrorist groups and unfortunately we have suffered the loss of eight comrades from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB),” Padrino said in an apparition without questioning the fighting that began. last March 21 in the state of Apure (bordering Colombia).
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The information disseminated so far by military sources is very sparse and they have not even clarified which armed group they are facing, despite having circulated photos of seized uniforms bearing the former’s logos and acronyms. FARC guerrilla. Several associations with members in the area have also confirmed that they are dissidents of the Farc.
Padrino also did not confirm to which group members of the gang they fight belong and that, in addition to the 8 dead, 34 wounded soldiers “who have received medical attention in the military health network,” 21 of which have been discharged with all their treatments. ” . During the operation, they deactivated 16 anti-personnel mines installed by the armed group that, it acknowledged, had hit soldiers and “Army ground assets.”
The Venezuelan state of Apure has remained the epicenter of a bloody political chess game, in which countless illegal armed groups coexist as a result of a brutal and permanent neglect of the state. As the accusations come and go through the governments of Colombia and Venezuela, blaming themselves for responsibilities, about 6,000 people arrived in Arauquita, Arauca, fleeing a conflict that is alien to them.
Sebastiana Barráez, a Venezuelan journalist specializing in military issues, explained to this newspaper on March 27 that the Venezuelan military this time “raided many houses and detained many people. And while this situation is not yet clear, or who the detainees are, there are indications that some of them are civilians, that they are not guerrilla fighters ”. Known in videos for The viewer businesses can be looted if the local community denounces the military.
“Where the operation took place (on March 21) is an area called Urdaneta Parish, in the municipality of Páez, in the state of Apure. Especially in that area the structure of the 10th front of the Farc-Ep has grown the most. And it makes sense, because Arauquita was the Farc’s strongest control zone before demobilization. From La Victoria and the rural area, Front 10 has the capacity for social and economic control, I wouldn’t say territorial, but it controls and has strengthened drug trafficking routes, ” said Naryi Vargas, social researcher on territorial security issues. daily on March 27.
Activate a special defense zone
Padrino noted that, on behalf of President Nicolás Maduro, a “special temporary integral operational defense zone” has been activated in the area, which will be led by Major General Alejando Javier Benitez Marcano with “a coordinating staff”.
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They also activated a comprehensive brigade called Negro Primero, under the command of General Wilfredo Alexander Medrano, “to which the necessary military units and equipment will be assigned”. Likewise, the Defense Minister explained that Maduro has “ordered extraordinary measures,” including the creation of “a security zone in the municipalities of Páez, Muñoz and Romulo Gallegos,” all in Apure and where most of the battles take place.
As part of these actions, the FANB Operational Strategic 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 safeguard internal order. , peace for the citizen and human rights. “
He also noted that, through the Apure Integrated Defense Operational Zone and in conjunction with civilian, regional and municipal authorities, this command will “to protect human rights”, establish restrictions and schedules for transit.
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In the same way, they will impose “time restrictions on the operation of public and private places”, in addition to implementing security control measures “to ensure public services and the peace of the citizen”.
The military will conduct inspections
Finally, Padrino clarified that the military deployed in the area “will be able to inspect movable and immovable property in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” and “illegal occupations of public property that will 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 interrupted”, 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 is returning to normal”.