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Guamalito police station destroyed by ELN drone and explosive attacks
The police substation in Guamalito, located in the El Carmen municipality of Norte de Santander, has been completely destroyed following attacks by the ELN guerrilla group. According to the Ministry of Defense, the station was targeted with explosives and drones on September 7 and again more recently.
Following the damage to the infrastructure, at least 21 police officers were evacuated from the area by helicopter. This evacuation has left the strategic corridor between Cesar and the Catatumbo region without a police or military presence. The Mayor of El Carmen, José Reinel Contreras, warned that the lack of security is causing residents to flee to cities such as Ocaña, Cúcuta, and Bucaramanga.
Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara and Defense Minister Jorge Mora are traveling to the southern Cesar region to address the situation. Lara noted that the area is a critical junction for illegal gold mining, ELN activity, and fuel trafficking used to support drug trafficking in the Catatumbo.
Entities
ELN · El Carmen · Guamalito · Jorge Mora · Ministry of Defense · Rodrigo Lara
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] At least 21 police officers were evacuated from Guamalito via helicopter. www.lasillavacia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The region is a convergence point for illegal gold, the ELN, and fuel trafficking for drug trafficking. www.lasillavacia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Residents have begun displacing to Ocaña, Cúcuta, and Bucaramanga due to fear of attacks. www.lasillavacia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Recent attacks by the ELN resulted in the complete destruction of the police station. www.lasillavacia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The evacuation has left the population of Guamalito without police or army presence. www.lasillavacia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ELN guerrilla group attacked the Guamalito police substation using drones and explosives. www.lasillavacia.com