Given the recent armed clashes and the displacement of hundreds of people, the departmental and local authorities.
Nariño news
In recent days, the municipality of the Andes Sotomayor, in Nariño, has faced a delicate public order situation due to clashes between the army and illegal armed groups, such as the Franco Benavides front. These fighting have caused the displacement of at least 300 people to the municipal headwaters of the Andes Sotomayor and Cumbitara.
Given this humanitarian crisis, the Government of Nariño, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of the Andes Sotomayor, the Ombudsman and human rights defenders, has delivered more than 200 markets and cleaning kits to displaced families. These aid seek to meet the basic needs of women, men, older adults, pregnant mothers, people in disabilities and minors who have been affected by the conflict.
In addition, the mayor of the Andes Sotomayor has decreed curfew and dry law throughout the municipality to guarantee security and prevent alterations to public order.
In this context, the governor of Nariño, Luis Alfonso Escobar Jaramillo, met with Mayor Jhonathan Apráez and community representatives to seek solutions. During the meeting, historical investments were announced and the opening of a dialogue with the National Government.
“We should not stigmatize communities. It is they who live the rigor of the conflict, the rigor of a confrontation. It is logical that they are concerned about how an armed confrontation will run, and that is their only concern, ”said Escobar. In addition, he highlighted the creation of a dialogue channel with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior and the Ombudsman’s Office, as well as the call of the National Peace Council in February so that the voices of the mountain range are heard.
Mayor Apráez stressed the importance of this meeting and the urgency of guaranteeing tranquility in the area. “We do not want the presence of any group, but we are looking for peace in our territories. Today was the first meeting with the governor, and we are already talking about dialogues nationwide, ”he said.
In addition to dialogue, the meeting brought key news in the field of infrastructure. “It is the first time that they put their eyes on the mountain range and more in the Andes Sotomayor. An investment of almost 15 billion pesos for a road that has always been forgotten and that today can be discussed, is something historical for the department and for our municipality, ”said the mayor.
The governor reiterated his commitment to the welfare of the community: “We, for asking that the conflict leave our land, we are not on an ideological shore or another. We are on the side of the people, on the side of the peasants, on you, ”he concluded.
Source: Nariño Governorate
Made by: Leidy Lisbeth Easter Boat
