MADRID 22 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Colombian Army reported this Thursday that five soldiers have died after an attack with explosives attributed to the guerrilla of the National Liberation Army (ELN) while they were carrying out “security operations” in the municipality of Anorí, in the department of Antioquia ( northwest).
Initially, the Army has announced a toll of four dead soldiers and another four wounded, in addition to a civilian, who had been taken to the hospital for treatment. Hours later, he announced that a fifth soldier had succumbed to injuries caused by the explosive devices.
The Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, has expressed his “deep pain” for the death of the soldiers, who were guarding a group of former guerrillas. “They, protecting life, without being in any combat activity, are murdered by that criminal organization. That is the pain that the country and the Army have today,” he expressed.
“Whoever wants war will have to be persecuted by our public forces. And the offensive that must be deployed against criminals of this nature is essential to be carried out,” said the head of the ministerial portfolio.
For his part, the High Commissioner for Peace, Otty Patiño, has regretted “the death of the five heroes of the Army caused by an attack in the municipality of Anorí.” “To the family and friends of the victims, all our solidarity. This act has no justification and we hope that the ELN, as the authors of this act, assume their responsibility,” he indicated through his profile on the social network X.
This attack takes place in a context of tensions between the Government of Gustavo Petro and the ELN, since they have recently accused each other of a lack of will to advance a peace process.