The Colombian Government authorized the Military Forces, especially the Army and the Navy, to destroy heavy machinery used for illegal mineral extractionsomething that previously only a small specialized group of the Police could do, the Ministry of Defense reported on Friday.
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The Vice Minister for Defense and Security Policies, Daniela Gómez, assured that with the measure adopted by the Government, the capacities are tripled. “to combat illegal mineral extraction, attacking economies that impoverish the territory and pollute the environment.”
Before the issuance of the decree that empowers the Military Forces to destroy this type of instrumentation (called ‘yellow machinery’) used in illegal activities, was the responsibility of a special force formed by the Police.
“Today all the Military Forces, the Navy in particular, and the Army with the support of the Air Force, will be able to carry out these tasks.”Gomez said. With this measure, it is hoped that the fight against illegal mining will yield better results than “result in well-being for nature and for the people who inhabit the territories”concluded the vice minister.
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Illegal mining
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The Ministry of Defense reported that 387 units of yellow machinery have been destroyed or seized this year, 37% more than in 2023; and 683 units of other machinery have been seized or destroyed, 44% more than in 2023. Authorities point to the Clan del Golfo, the country’s main criminal group, as the main organization dedicated to illegal mining, from which they obtain millions in profits to finance their activities, including the purchase of weapons.
Earlier this month, the Colombian government said it would open a “space for socio-legal conversation” with the Clan del Golfo or the Colombian Gaitanista Army (EGC).
Unlike the other three negotiating tables set up – with the National Liberation Army (ELN) and with the FARC dissidents of the Central General Staff (EMC) and the Second Marquetalia – this is a space for socio-legal conversations, since the Government does not recognize the AGC as having political status, and, therefore, it is a submission to justice. The Gulf Clan maintains that they want a political negotiation like the one already underway with those other groups and they point out that they do have a political intention.
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EFE
