Buenos Aires, in the north of Cauca, experienced a day of terror this Tuesday, December 16, when the Jaime Martínez Front of the EMC dissidents, commanded by alias Iván Mordisco, unleashed an armed offensive of more than seven hours against the Public Force and the civilian population.
Terror took over the municipality after reports of coordinated attacks that included the destruction of the communications tower, the blocking of roads, and direct threats against uniformed members of the National Police.
The situation escalated quickly when the dissidents installed explosives in different parts of the urban area using dump trucks as barricades, while armed drones constantly flew over the area, increasing the risk of indiscriminate attacks against civilians and authorities.
Leonardo González, director of Indepaz, described the events as an “armed takeover” of extreme seriousness. “The total closure of the municipality, the installation of explosive ramps and drone overflights generate a critical scenario for the population,” warned the security expert through his social networks.
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The Army commander, General Luis Emilio Cardoso, together with the police leadership, traveled to Popayán in an emergency to coordinate the military response. From the ground, the Army implemented a strategy with reconnaissance drones due to the impossibility of access by land.
The Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez, ordered the full deployment of military capabilities to neutralize the attackers. “These are the true ‘gestures of peace’ from those who make a living from drug trafficking. The cocaine chain fuels this violence that hits Colombia,” said the official.
For his part, the governor of Cauca, Octavio Guzmán, confirmed that the attack left police officers dead, civilians under fire, families displaced and the municipal hospital affected.
“This criminal offensive overwhelms our departmental capacity. Cauca cannot continue resisting alone,” the president warned when requesting urgent reinforcements from the national government.
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