There is intelligence work with Colombian peers. And the Border Control Group watches over 34 border crossings.
Tulcan
A video broadcast on social networks in the border towns of Colombia, in front of Tulcán, went viral in the north of Ecuador due to the supposed and severe warnings made by those who self-identify as militiamen of the disappeared FARC. This generates fear and fear in Carchi (Ecuadorian province) and in the department of Nariño (Colombia).
In the audiovisual piece, which lasts 2 minutes and 25 seconds, it appears who would be five uniformed and armed combatants, who have part of their faces covered with ski masks and armbands with identification of that irregular organization that apparently joined the peace process.
One of them, identified as Comrade Jairo, points out that together with his partner Cristian they held a meeting in a store with the residents of the Urbina parish, located in Ecuadorian territory, a few kilometers from the Rumichaca international bridge.
The alleged guerrilla appears to remind them of the “collaboration” and “contribution” that drivers and transporters who use the trails that link Ecuador with Colombia and farmers who allow the use of their land must make in this Ecuadorian border sector.
“Those who do not collaborate are not suitable to work in this area,” adds the spokesperson, that is, they cannot circulate around the place; and it also warns those who are taking the name of this organization (FARC) to commit crimes.
He also asks that the video go viral in the border area so that the people who live in Urbina (Ecuador), Ipiales and its surroundings, such as Santafé, a town that leads to that city, take into account that they are “making a presence” in those places.
“To those who are taking the name (FARC), we do not want to do justice against the civilian population. Those criminals who are collecting money on behalf of the FARC, it is better that they withdraw or organize, we do not want to run over the civilian population ”, he reiterates.
They confiscate weapons in Tulcán that were allegedly going to be used to commit crimes on the coast
According to this spokesman, they are retaking the territories that have belonged to them as an organization.
Pablo Yacelga, head of the Tulcán Police District, indicated that investigation and intelligence teams carry out work with the exchange of information with their counterparts in Colombia.
While Walter Maroto, deputy commander of the Carchi Police Subzone, points out that operations in that sector have been reinforced with the Ecuadorian Army and clarifies that in Ecuadorian territory there are no charges or irregular situations, but in the neighboring country.
The Border Control Group in charge of operating on the border line is present in more than 34 crossings in that area. Maroto indicates that with the Armed Forces they have been developing joint actions in Urbina and other border crossings.
A ton of drugs was in a truck that moved on the border between the provinces of Sucumbíos and Carchi
Meanwhile, at midnight on Tuesday 16 an attack with an explosive charge was registered in the Mayor’s Office of Cumbal, in front of Ecuador. The facade and doors of the building and attached houses were defaced with the initials of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
There were no injuries in this small town located 38 km from the Rumichaca international bridge, authorities said, adding that the electricity service was obstructed.
Two weeks ago an audio appeared in which presumably common criminals issue warnings to the police and the military to let them “work” on the border trails, demanding vaccines or extorting the owners of vehicles that use the Tulcán-Urbina-Santafé-Ipiales route. .
Months ago, the Colombian military detained eight people who used the facade of the Colombian guerrilla to intimidate and demand money from the users of this second-order binational road. (I)
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
