At this site the criminals of the Organized Armed Group, GAO-r, structure 10, produced about 500 and 600 devices and anti-personnel mines, weekly which were used to carry out terrorist operations against civilians and the Military Forces.
In the course of military operations conducted by the National Army, jointly and in coordination with the Colombian Air Force and the National Police, a construction that served as a camp area, illegal hideout and clandestine factory for the production of non-conventional explosive devices that, apparently, would belong to the residual Organized Armed Group, Structure 10, Martín Villa, was found and dismantled.
The operation carried out in the El Ripial village, Puerto Rondón, Arauca, led to finding an improvised clandestine construction with the capacity to house about 80 terrorists, and in which the members of this residual GAO kept hidden war materials, explosives and military accessories. It was evident that the criminals build the infrastructure after cutting down most of the palm trees that were nearby, which caused serious ecological damage that will take too long to recover.
This complex, which had been built near a river and prepared with two structures in wood and straw, had furnaces and metal furniture to be used as a kitchen for the preparation and distillation of chemicals, in order to produce explosive substances. The place in the same way had a kitchen, food and utensils to feed more than 80 members of the GAO residual, and tables with tools and items to the manufacture of improvised explosive devices.
Inside, troops found 540 non electrical and electrical detonators for the activation of explosives, 1,000 meters of detonation cord, three improvised ammunition manufacturing tools, one ton of ammonium nitrate, 100 kilograms of aluminium powder, 80 jars of black powder, 87 units of explosive Indugel, 11 buster, 12 anti-personnel mines with activation system by pressure relief, 300 meters of two wire cable, means of release, as well as a lot of material for the manufacture of explosives, warfare equipment and military accessories.
After the fighting with the GAO-r, Structure 10, Martín Villa, the place was secured, and during the inspection the consumption of alcoholic beverages was evident. Immediately, anti-explosive technicians entered and through a thorough inspection of the terrain, complying with internal safety protocols, the area was isolated and its destruction was carried out in controlled conditions, using detonation and combustion methods. The war material and military accessories were put into custody of the authority.
This result thwarts the terrorist operations of the residual GAO, Structure 10, Martín Villa, against the civilians, the military and the critical and strategic infrastructure of the State throughout the department of Arauca.
Source: Press - National Army
