Colombia Orders Military Presence in Cúcuta After Political Assassination and Bombing Bogotá – The Colombian government announced on Thursday that it would temporarily militarize the city of Cúcuta, located on the border with Venezuela, following the shooting death of a local political candidate and a bombing that injured six people. President Abelardo de la Espriella said in a statement to the media that the militarization would be “temporary, while we stabilize public order.” He added that the government would not allow “narcoterrorism to continue sowing fear and threatening families” in the department of Norte de Santander and its capital. The president outlined several measures to counter the violence: 1. Increased Military Presence – The army will expand its presence in Cúcuta in coordination with the police to strengthen territorial control, protect citizens, and confront illegal armed groups operating in the area. 2. Operation Esparta – Beginning on Tuesday, November 3, a joint military and police operation named Esparta will be launched, along with a security block in the city. De la Espriella said the operation would intensify anti‑terrorism efforts, pursue those responsible for violence, target criminal financing, and dismantle organizations that threaten the population. 3. Continued Territorial Control Operations – Additional operations to maintain territorial control will be maintained. 4. Presidential Visit – The president announced that he would visit Cúcuta the following week to assess progress. The decision follows the murder of Miguel Castellanos Serrano, a former police major who had been serving as the city’s Secretary of Government and was a candidate for mayor. He was shot near a gas station in Norte de Santander on Monday, the only time he had traveled without a security escort. Castellanos had worked on issues such as crime reduction, public space restoration, access to justice, and animal protection. On Tuesday, a bomb detonated near the international bridge linking Cúcuta with Venezuela, injuring at least four civilians and two police officers. The city’s proximity to the volatile Catatumbo region has made it a long‑time operating area for guerrilla and drug trafficking groups that control drug smuggling and contraband flows. The Colombian government has stated that it will continue to monitor the situation and adjust security measures as needed.
Article source: El Nuevo Diario | Image credit: El Nuevo Diario