The Command of the Joint Stabilization and Consolidation Task Force Hercules reports:
1. This Wednesday, November 2, 2022 in the Restrepo village of the Tumaco District, troops of the Rapid Deployment Battalion No.5, when military control of the area on the road was being carried out, two individuals were arrested in flagrante delicto, who were traveling in a van, which when verified inside were found by troops garments for the exclusive use of the Military Forces, as well as cash, FARC indoctrination cards, and implements with the logos of the residual Organized Armed Group, GAO-r, Urias Rondón.
2. After 8:00 p.m. of the same day, a violent sedition occurred by approximately 300 people against the Soldiers; these people expressed rejection for the arrest of these individuals and in the same way, because the work of the military units in this sector, obstructing the constitutional order.
3. This Command calls on the municipal and departmental authorities to conduct the legal operations of their roles and functions to face these events that occurred in the village of El Restrepo and surrounding the rural area of Tumaco, in Nariño.
4. On the place, a group composed of the Ombudsman's Office, the People's Representative for human rights of Tumaco and the OAS, are in the area as mediators to promptly resolve this situation.
5. It is reiterated that the military personnel fulfill the constitutional mission. Military operations are legitimate and contribute to generating conditions of security and peace through the enjoyment of the rights of civilians.
6. The Joint Stabilization and Consolidation Task Force Hercules will continue to carry out military operations against residual organized armed groups that seek to hit the security of the inhabitants of the Pacific region in Nariño.