-This year, ordinary homicide has fallen by 7.5%, the homicide of members of the Military Forces by 50%, and the homicide against social leaders by 33%.
-In the time of the Petro Government, aircraft confiscations related to drug trafficking have increased by 235%, the finding of coca leaf by 68%, and drug laboratories destroyed by 22%.
- 894 yellow machines have been destroyed or found by the authorities this year, as part of the fight against illegal mining.
- Since the ceasefire came into effect, drug confiscations have increased and homicides have decreased in regions hit by violence such as Putumayo, Arauca, Antioquia, Cauca, Nariño and Córdoba.
Through figures the government of President Gustavo Petro has reported it has defended the life of Colombians, because life is a priority. In the same way, through the report of important results in the fight against drugs, illegal mining, organized armed groups, Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez defended himself during the debate of the motion of censure in the House of Representatives.
According to the official figures of the Ministry of Defense, in the first four months of this year homicide in Colombia has decreased by 7.5%, compared to the same period of the previous year.
The Minister in the same way, talked about the results obtained in the Petro government, compared to the last eight months of the Duque government, highlighting that in terms of homicides there were 9,767 deaths in the previous government to 9,454 cases in this government, that is, 313 lives have been reported saved.
Although he said that he felt that his ministry is on the right way, he clarified that this reduction does not give him satisfaction because he knows that the situation of insecurity is still complex. He explained that of the 32 departments, 16 report reductions in homicide. The cases of Arauca stood out with a decrease of 37%, Caquetá 33%, Chocó department 28% and Norte de Santander 17%.
“In the rural area of Catatumbo (Norte de Santander), we have a 49% reduction in homicide, the figure went from 94 to 48 homicides, mainly driven by the decrease in Ocaña, Tibú, Teorama and Abrego," Velásquez said.
Homicides of members of the Military Forces in the same way fell by 50% during the first eight months of the current government, while injuries were reduced by 46%, compared to the last eight months of the previous government.
According to Indepaz, the situation of social leaders and signatories of the peace agreement has in the same way improved. In the first quarter of 2023, the murders of social leaders in the country reduced by 33%, compared to the same period in 2022. The same happens with the peace signatories, a reduction of 58% is reported in this same period.
Anti-drug Policy
“We recognize it, we affirm it and we are not ashamed, we are not going to forcibly eradicate the coca planted by the country's peasants, that is why the plans of the Military Forces aim to hit production, it is the first step that we have proposed, to destroy cocaine hydrochloride laboratories, find supplies and hit the business owners," the Minister highlighted.
According to the figures, so far the Government of Change has increased by 235% the aircraft confiscations, 68% the kilos of coca leaf found, and 22% the drug laboratories destroyed, that is, 3,874 constructions that would have produced drugs, have been destroyed.
Although he recognized that it is necessary to increase cocaine confiscations, he said that the authorities are finding on average 1.6 tons a day, so that it is possible to reach the findings goal for this year.
Source: Defense Sector Communications Office - Ministry of National Defense
