The Strategic Operational Commander of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Ceofanb), G/J Domingo Hernández Lárez, reported that military personnel, assigned to the Rapid Combat Reaction Unit, managed to locate and destroy a camp dedicated to illegal mining in an area surrounding the Carida indigenous community in the Mina Vieja sector, Atabapo municipality of the Amazonas state.
Through his Instagram account, Hernández Lárez indicated that within the framework of operation Neblina 2025 in Redi number 6 Guayana, the uniformed officers found 200 liters of diesel fuel, three 13 HP water suction engines, a 20 HP mining engine, two mining snails, 50 meters of 4″ high pressure hose, six meters of 4″ PVC pipe and 12 meters of 2”.
During the procedure “all the material and equipment collected was incinerated at the scene, for serving as logistical support for the depredation of the environment in illegal mining activities, prohibited by the Venezuelan State, in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Criminal Law, violating the legal system and national security and defense. Procedure notified to the Public Ministry.”
He added that “in the state of Amazonas any type of non-traditional open pit mining exploitation is prohibited; anyone who violates the law becomes a criminal,” while highlighting that “Venezuela is a land of peace, law and justice that fights daily against environmental depredation and illegal mining exploitation in favor of a healthy environment.”
In another publication on his Instagram account, Hernández Lárez indicated that “these are prohibited uses in national parks: mining and hydrocarbon exploitation, as well as the installation of camps.”
The Ceofanb commander assured that “protecting nature is a duty and a right of Venezuelans. Mining camp facilities are prohibited in national parks!”
Next, he made reference to article 13 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which establishes that “the territory may never be ceded, transferred, leased, or in any way alienated, even temporarily or partially, to foreign States or other subjects of international law.”
Finally, he ratified that “the Venezuelan geographic space is a zone of Peace. Foreign military bases or facilities that have military purposes in any way may not be established by any power or coalition of powers…”.
