The command of the thirtieth Brigade, a unit of the Second Division of the National Army reports:
1. Today, May 16th, 2021, in the morning, when troops were carrying out operations to protect the inhabitants of the municipality of La Gabarra, Municipality of Tib煤, Norte de Santander, an improvised explosive device was activated apparently by members of the Residual organized armed group, Gao-r, structure 33.
2. As a result of the explosive wave, two of our heroes, soldier Luis Miguel Sola Medina and Soldier Eduardo Jes煤s Velasco Altamar, lost their lives. In the event, soldier Manuel Villareal Mart铆nez was in the same way wounded, who was evacuated urgently, and at this time receives specialized care in a medical center in the city of C煤cuta.
3. At the same time, and in compliance with the established protocols, in the municipality of Mesa Rica in the municipality of Convenci贸n, the troops found and deactivated an improvised explosive device that had been conditioned inside a gas cylinder, with which they intended to attack the community.
4. This operation shows that organized armed groups continue to indiscriminately place explosive devices to attack the civilians and troops. We categorically rejected this criminal operation which flagrantly violates human rights and breaches international humanitarian law.
5. This command mourns the passing of our heroes and sends a greeting of condolences to their families and prays to the Almighty for their eternal rest.
