Colombia’s defense minister on Monday announced a new marine infantry brigade in the east of the country to deal with left-wing rebels and drug traffickers.
“It is very important the terrorists and criminals know that here we will make the Public Force more effective,” said Pinzon while stating the new unit would be equipped with the “latest military technology,” according to a press release from the defense ministry.
Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon said the new marine infantry brigade would patrol the Inirida, Guaviare and Orinoco rivers, which are frequently used by drug traffickers and left-wing guerrillas.
“The FARC terrorists and other criminals are misusing the natural resources of the Colombian people, they are destroying the environment and for this reason we are here [although we admit] it is important to make more efforts in this part of the country,” the defense minister concluded.
According to the U.N., the Guaviare department where the rivers are located is home to several coca plantations. The rivers are used by drug trafficking organizations to move the drugs to Venezuela.
