In military units in Nariño, Norte de Santander and Meta, areas where there is a large presence of illegal crops, laboratories for drug processing and strategic corridors for criminal networks, Soldiers from an elite force of the United States will be deployed and will arrive in the country next Monday.
The military will enter quarantine and, after complying with the respective isolation, they will be transferred to support the headquarters of the Joint Task Forces Hercules (Tumaco), Vulcano (Norte de Santander), Omega (Meta) and the Contra Brigade. drug trafficking.
The commander of the Military forces, General Luis Fernando Navarro, maintained that the uniformed men who are part of the United States Southern Command will be in the country for four months and their tasks will be advising on tactical and strategic issues.
The arrival in the country of the around 50 uniforms of the SFAB Mission, which according to the United States Embassy in Colombia is a North American brigade that advises and supports operations “in allied nations”, generated controversy in different sectors that came to question that this type of agreement must have the approval of Congress.
(Read also: General Navarro says that the US military will come for 4 months)
For example, the President of the Senate, Lidio García, reminded President Duque that article 173 of the Constitution stipulates that allowing the transit of foreign troops in Colombian territory is a constitutional authority of the Senate.
And Senator Iván Cepeda pointed out that not only should the Senate pronounce itself, but also the Council of State, considering that the arrival of the military was consolidated as an “illegal presence” in Colombian territory. “This intervention is an open attack on our sovereignty, to the peace process in the territories and a threat of transnational war, “said Cepeda.
The Minister of Defense, Carlos Holmes Trujillo, came out to harsh criticism, who explained why the Senate was not consulted on this cooperation agreement between the governments of the two countries. “At no time will there be transit of foreign troops or participate in military operations. Military operations are carried out exclusively by Colombian troops, ”said Minister Trujillo.
At no time will there be transit of foreign troops or participate in military operations. Military operations are carried out exclusively by Colombian troops
–
–
And he added that these uniformed men are part of an elite group “purely of a consultative and technical nature to improve effectiveness in the fight against drug trafficking”. He also pointed out that this type of support work is not new and is part of the cooperation agreements – in military matters – signed decades ago between the two countries.
Official sources had told this newspaper that the members of that support group will not be armed in the country, nor will they be in the operational combat line that was being advanced by Colombian troops in areas with the highest concentrations of crops planted with bushes. of coca.
According to the United Nations Monitoring System, in 2018 41,903 hectares were detected in Nariño; in Norte de Santander, 33,598, and in Meta, 2,945 hectares. The total in the country was 169,000 hectares of drug crops.
The defense minister’s explanation was supported by the former president and senator, Álvaro Uribe Vélez, who pointed out that the uniformed men have an advisory mission and that it is not a combat unit. “It is an advisory brigade for drug trafficking, hopefully Colombia will defeat it,” said Uribe Vélez.
In this regard, the United States Southern Command pronounced itself, which issued a statement this Thursday, stating that its work will be “training, advice and assistance to host units with strengthening capabilities crucial for greater anti-drug cooperation between I know. USA and Colombia ”.
(Also: The millimeter military training that Colombia and the USA do)
This military unit was formed 17 years ago, and its members are trained in the analysis of the development of operations, tactical form, strategy, intelligence, protection and communications, which will now be at the service of the country’s military units.
“SFAB members receive specialized education at the Military Advisors Training Academy in Fort Benning, Georgia, where they learn to assist the professional military forces of US partners and allies. USA Depending on operational and institutional needs. They are trained and equipped to evaluate, support, advise and collaborate with defense and security partners around the world, ”the Command affirms in its statement.
The members of the unit that will arrive in the country are part of the Infantry and most are NCOs.
JUSTICE
– .
