Colombia mobilizes 360,000 for election security

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Colombian authorities approved a “democracy plan” Wednesday to mobilize 360,000 security forces for the upcoming elections.

Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon told Colombian media that military and police forces will mobilize across the country on Saturday, October 15th with the intent of ensuring the security for and transparency of the upcoming elections on Sunday, October 30th.

A democracy plan has already been in effect in 72 of the highest-risk municipalities since September 25th, and according to Pinzon, “next Saturday it will cover the entire country.”

The defense minister went on to say that the plan will utilize “intelligence units, judicial investigation, and manpower to control the avenues of approach.”

The purpose of the increased security is to protect both candidates and civilian voters from illegal armed groups that threaten to mar the elections.