Colombia to use maritime prisons to isolate high-risk criminal leaders

Remas strategy maritime prisons drug trafficking Colombia security narco-terrorism

The Colombian government, under President Abelardo de la Espriella, is preparing the Special Maritime High Security Reclusion Strategy (Remas) to isolate high-risk criminal leaders at sea. The plan involves using official naval vessels as temporary maximum-security prisons to prevent gang leaders from coordinating extortion, homicide, and drug trafficking from within traditional correctional facilities.

To ensure total isolation, authorities intend to deploy high-tech signal jammers to block all communications. The initial phase aims to transfer 40 high-risk inmates to vessels stationed near Cartagena in the Caribbean and Buenaventura in the Pacific. The strategy involves coordination between the National Navy, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Justice, and the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (Inpec).

Parallel to this maritime initiative, the administration is planning the construction of ten high-security mega-prisons. This security push is bolstered by a strengthened alliance with the United States. U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) General Francis L. Donovan recently visited Bogotá to discuss joint operations against narco-terrorists. As part of the 'Shield of the Americas' alliance, Washington is expected to provide $1 billion in security assistance to support Colombia's efforts to dismantle cocaine trafficking organizations.

Human rights organizations have raised concerns, warning that maritime detention may violate fundamental rights and legal due process.

Entities

Abelardo De La Espriella · Armada Nacional · Armada Nacional de Colombia · Buenaventura · Cartagena · Colombia · Francis L. Donovan · INPEC · Instituto Nacional Penitenciario y Carcelario · U.S. Southern Command · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Authorities will use high-tech signal jammers to prevent inmates from communicating with the outside world. laopinion.co
[● 4 SOURCES] The plan aims to prevent high-risk inmates from coordinating crimes like extortion, homicide, and drug trafficking from prison. www.cablenoticias.com · laopinion.co · trn.mk · skopskoeho.mk
[● 6 SOURCES] Human rights organizations warn that the plan may violate fundamental rights and legal due process. www.businessdaily.gr · www.cablenoticias.com · www.capital.gr · www.in.gr · www.sigmalive.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The maritime prisons will be deployed near Cartagena and Buenaventura. www.cablenoticias.com · laopinion.co
[● 2 SOURCES] The Colombian government is implementing the Special Maritime High Security Reclusion Strategy (Remas). www.cablenoticias.com · laopinion.co
[○ 1 SOURCE] The initial phase of the plan involves transferring 40 high-risk inmates. www.cablenoticias.com
[● 3 SOURCES] US Marine Corps General Francis Donovan visited Bogotá to discuss joint operations against narco-terrorists. www.tromaktiko.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.iefimerida.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The US is planning to provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia. www.tromaktiko.gr · www.newsbomb.gr