The commander of the Armed Forces, Carlos Velázquez, and the anti-smuggling minister, Emilio Fúster, responded to the denunciation of a smuggling scheme that happens “under the nose” of the authorities. They explained that they did not act against the group, to avoid bloodshed.
At a press conference, the coordinating minister of the Inter-institutional Unit for the Prevention, Combat and Repression of Smuggling (UIC), Emilio Fúster, confirmed that the images viralized through social networks, indeed correspond to the body that is in charge .
He explained that the aforementioned operation, carried out in the early hours of June 12, 2021, is part of an intelligence work that was being carried out, given the apparent action of smugglers in coexistence with “corrupt public officials.”
You can see the military and police in it helping smugglers to remove contraband merchandise, from the Argentine side to the Navy area in Itá Enramada.
Fúster indicated that said intelligence information was shared with the authorities, but it was considered prudent not to act at that time.
In this regard, the commander of the Paraguayan Navy, Carlos Velázquez, brother of the Vice President of the Republic, Hugo Velázquez, commented that it was decided not to act, since they were overwhelmed by the group of smugglers who were “armed and drunk.”
“It was evaluated and we concluded that it was better for them to leave, since they realized that there could be reinforcements. The fundamental thing was not to produce bloodshed”, highlighted the commander.
“We didn’t have the strength to even try to persuade. “As the Armed Forces, we cannot use our weapons of war, no matter how criminal they are,” he stressed.
He also specified that the officers involved and those who are seen in the images “helping” the smugglers, were immediately replaced, summarily and sanctioned.
Likewise, the commander said that after that fact, they were able to reinforce the technological system in the area to improve control.
This smuggling operation was carried out at dawn on June 12, 2021, the day we celebrate “Paz del Chaco”, however military and police on the same day helping smugglers remove contraband merchandise. Summary of three videos: pic.twitter.com/uQ5POwnfAO
– Alfredo Guachiré (@GuachireM) March 4, 2022
