The mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, blamed the government of President Gustavo Petro for the strengthening of the criminal structures of the ELN, after the first episodes of the national armed strike announced by the guerrilla that began on December 14.
“There is an alert with what is happening with the armed strike of the ELN and what ended up happening with these criminal structures that were strengthened with the complacency of the national government and the Petro government. Look how they announce armed strike at the national level and do whatever they want”said the local leader.
And he added: “Today, for example, in the morning towards the Girardota road and also towards the Caldas area, the road had to be closed for a few minutes because ELN flags appeared and, as authorities, we have to confirm that it does not have explosives. So they did not have explosives and mobility could be resumed.”
It is worth remembering that last Sunday, December 14, the authorities had to suspend traffic on the Medellín-Bogotá highway, one of the main highways in the country, due to the installation of another flag at the height of the ‘Alto de la Virgen’ toll.
In that incident, the authorities quickly ruled out the presence of explosives and normal traffic flow was enabled again after removing the ELN flag installed on a small mountain on the side of the road.
Harsh criticism of the national government
Mayor Gutiérrez was forceful in his criticism of Gustavo Petro’s government: “But what damage they have done, they have carried out attacks in other parts of the country. I am one of those who maintain that what must be done is to combat these criminal structures. They continue talking all day about peace when they dedicate all day to waging war.”
“The national government has already left the government and the only thing it did was strengthen the criminal structures in Colombia,” The president reiterated that Medellín will continue to strengthen security and combat these organizations.
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Reinforced security measures
The mayor reported that municipal and departmental authorities remain alert and continue to reinforce security measures on roads and strategic points in the Aburrá Valley.
“We continue to reinforce security. We continue to tighten,” assured Gutiérrez, who called on citizens to report any suspicious activity through line 123.
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“We remain on maximum alert, understanding that every day we have to be with the Police, Army, Prosecutor’s Office, the activated intelligence bubbles, to know and learn as soon as possible of any intention they have regarding a terrorist attack.”he stated.
The authorities maintain permanent operations on the main roads of the department to prevent new acts of vandalism during the armed strike announced by the ELN, while verification protocols continue regarding the installation of flags or any suspicious element.
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