Colombia's President Sends Troops to a Caribbean City After an Outburst of Violence
The deployment followed attacks that burned vehicles and shut businesses after the killing of 13 ACSN members, officials said.
- On Wednesday, President Abelardo ordered troops to Santa Marta to restore order, marking the first military deployment of his administration following violence by the Sierra Nevada Self-Defense Forces.
- Espriella stated the violence was retaliation for a military operation that killed Villanueva, known as 'Cholo' and identified by the government as the group's second-in-command, prompting his vow to "finish them off."
- Magdalena Gov. Margarita Guerra estimated more than 1,500 additional police officers and military personnel deployed across the region, while about 480,000 residents in Santa Marta faced disrupted commerce and shuttered markets.
- While residents faced empty streets and closed stalls on Wednesday, arsonists set ablaze at least three vehicles on Tuesday, leaving taxi driver Antonio Ochoa and others caught off guard by the armed strike.
- Espriella halted all peace talks with armed groups initiated by his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, signaling a shift to direct confrontation with criminal organizations operating in Magdalena, Cesar, and Guajira.
80 Articles
80 Articles
Military Deployed to Colombia Tourist Hotspot to Deter Violence
The streets of Santa Marta, one of Colombia’s main tourist destinations, looked unusually deserted following a presidential order to militarize the city in an attempt to counter the violence of an illegal armed group.
Imitation of activity. And how did it work out for the Colombians The first visible "result" of the new policy of the cabinet of Abelardo de la Espriella: the resort town of Santa Marta is paralyzed due to the activity of..
Imitation of activityAnd how did it work out for the ColombiansThe first visible "result" of the new policy of the cabinet of Abelardo de la Espriella: the resort town of Santa Marta is paralyzed due to the activity of gangs. And the reason is the...
Radio France Internationale
rtl.luColombians in Santa Marta stay inside after violence wracks the city
Authorities urged businesses in the touristy Caribbean city to open their doors after attacks by gang members subsided, but to no avail as locals remained fearful of further chaos. The self-styled Conquering Self-Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN), an armed group with roots in Colombia's now-defunct paramilitary movement, lashed out following the killing of its second-in-command by official forces. "People are afraid to go out," Nicolas …
Threats from armed group bring Colombia's Santa Marta to standstill
BOGOTA, Sept 23 - The Colombian city of Santa Marta, a hot spot for tourists, came to a standstill on Wednesday following threats by an illegal armed group against local businesses and transportation in retaliation for Monday's killing of one of its leaders. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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