About the events reported in the rural area of the municipality of Tibú, Caño Indio village, the Vulcano Task Force, attached to the Second Division of the National Army, reports:
1. Troops who worked on the eradication of illicit plantations in the village Los Cuervos, in the municipality of Tibú, Norte de Santander, which in turn were conducting the security operation planned for the upcoming presidential election, as part of the Plan to Democracy, since the latter may 7, were surrounded by a group of civilians, approximately 300 people, apparently inhabitants of the sector, growers of coca, who obstructed this legitimate operation that seeks to provide security to the civilians.
2. These civilians in a threatening way, with sticks and machete-type bladed weapons, forced the personnel to go to the Caño Indio military base, a rural area of that municipality, where they were prevented from leaving the base. Even at this moment they continue to be surrounded. In addition, people interrupted the supply of the electrical and water supply, essential services for the subsistence of the personnel at the base.
3. Simultaneously, in the Las Palmas sector, another group of approximately 150 civilians intends to drive military and police officers to the base, in order to concentrate the Military Forces personnel and prevent their mobility, to take control of the area.
4. It is important to emphasize that the troops, in order to prevent any kind of confrontation with the inhabitants and also to safeguard human rights, at this time are in the base.
5. This is not the first time that the operations of the authorities have been obstructed and stopped in that sector, where some people constantly seek to prevent the legal operation of institutions.
6. The institution urges people not to obstruct the military operations or assault members of the Military Forces, as this could be a criminal offence, as well as an offence of riot, article 469 of the Criminal Code; disturbance of official acts, article 430 of the Criminal Code; kidnapping, article 168 of the Criminal Code; violence against a public servant, article 429 of the Criminal Code; sabotage, article 199 of the Criminal Code; damage to the works or items of communications services, energy and fuels, article 357 of the Criminal Code, among others.
7. The institution during the assault fully complied with the protocols of the use of force in a step by step manner, attending to the provisions the norm No. 000002 of 2019, and there was no use of lethal weapons; in addition, reaction and counterattack plans were activated, in order to follow the security operations in the facilities, in accordance with the pre-established situation in our military doctrine and rules that regulate the procedures in these violent environments.
8. This Command publicly denounces the violent operations by coca leaf growers against members of the National Army, urging the municipal and departmental authorities to take legal actions against these violent acts within their roles and functions. In the same way, we remind people that the fulfillment of the constitutional mission of our soldiers of the National Army should not be hindered.
9. People are invited to strengthen peaceful coexistence, preventing the acts of threat or unjustified aggression that violate the good physical condition and harmony of citizens. The use of force generates violence and in such a case, civilians may ultimately commit crimes seen under the Colombian Criminal Code.
