Timely reaction leads to safeguarding the life of the mayor of Rioblanco, Tolima, Elizabeth Barbosa, in addition to representatives of the social area of the company Arturo Calle, while they were making a journey on the route that leads from the municipality of Rioblanco to the village of La Herrera, where they got in the middle of a crossfire, initiated by members of the substructure of Residual Organized Armed Group, Ismael Ruiz of the FARC-EP, being detected by troops of Colombian National Army; it was a joint effort conducted by the Colombian Aerospace Force and the Colombian National Army.
The event occurred near the sector known as Puerto Saldaña, where Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Babativa Muñoz, Commander of Ground Operations Battalion No.18 was also in operations; the timely operation of the troops to provide protection to the civilians who were in the place, as well as the quick reaction of the crews of the HUEY-II helicopter, lead to safely transport by air to the Cr Military base Jaime Rooke. The Mayor was received by her security team, and one of the members of the Organized Armed Group, who was injured, received immediate medical assistance.
Regarding the facts, the Colonel Commander of the Air Combat Command No.4, said: “It is a clear example of the current professional of Military Forces that respect and protect Human Rights and International Law of Armed Conflicts, since all priority was given to the aeromedical transfer of the wounded terrorist.” On the other hand the Mayor thanked the Military Forces for the immediate assistance of this type of situations that attacks the safety and tranquility of citizens.
In this way, the Aerospace Force ratifies its commitment to the well-being of Colombians throughout the national territory, acting within the framework of the Ayacucho Joint Strategic Plan, when providing protection to life, it works to ensure compliance with Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, in the frame of armed conflicts.
Source: Office of Public Communications CACOM 4
