Security update
Week of September 28 to October 4
Here's what happened this week in the fight against the armed groups, and what each one means.
1The groups hit back with drones
The ELN launched 11 explosive-drone attacks on police stations in three towns in southern Chocó in three days, September 29 to October 1. One police officer was wounded. The governor says the stations have no defense against drones. Near Neiva, Iván Mordisco's FARC dissidents killed a soldier and wounded another with an explosive drone.
What it meansCheap drones let small groups strike police and soldiers from a distance, and most stations can't stop them. This is the next front.
2Alias "Terry" killed in Antioquia
The army killed a Gulf Clan (Clan del Golfo) regional leader in southwest Antioquia. He ran drugs and extortion in five towns: Betania, Hispania, Ciudad Bolívar, Jericó and Andes. Authorities name him as a suspect in the murder of a footballer in Jardín.
What it meansOne regional boss is gone. Groups like this fill the gap fast, so the hit only counts if the pressure stays on.
3An ultimatum in Sucre
At a security council in Coveñas, the president named two Gulf Clan leaders, alias Felipe and alias Sebastián: surrender, or be taken down. He sent two more Marine platoons and ordered a push against extortion and cattle theft.
What it meansThe next targets are named in public. Now we watch whether they fall.
41.2 tons of cocaine seized in Meta
The army stopped a vehicle in Puerto Gaitán carrying about 1,198 kilos of cocaine belonging to Front 39 of Mordisco's dissidents. Two people were caught in the act. The president values the load at more than 7,900 million pesos.
What it meansMoney buys their guns and their recruits. But it's about one average day of seizures nationwide, going by the government's own daily reports, and production keeps going.
5Operation Perla: 148 arrests for kidnapping and extortion
Police anti-kidnapping units (GAULA) and the prosecutor's office arrested 148 people in six cities and 12 departments: 75 for extortion, 32 for kidnapping and 41 for related crimes. The targets included the ELN, the Gulf Clan and Pinocho's group.
What it meansExtortion is the crime that reaches ordinary shops and businesses. Arrests matter only if they end in convictions, and that's the number to watch.
6Private security companies
The Superintendency of Private Security (Supervigilancia) canceled the license of Maximus Seguridad Privada and is moving to cancel or suspend four more firms, over alleged ties to the Los Costeños gang and the Vega Daza clan, and weapons that can't be accounted for.
What it means for usMany of our buildings use private guards. Check that your building's company is licensed with Supervigilancia.
7Santa Marta
Pinocho's group shut the city down for four days in late September. 2,500 troops hold it now, and there's a 3,000 million peso reward on Pinocho. As of October 4, he is still free.
What it meansThe state holds the city. The man who shut it down is still out there.
The scorecard
August against August last year: kidnapping fell 79%, extortion 62%, massacres 58%. For the year so far, homicides are still up 2%.
What it meansEarly signs, not yet a trend.
I support most of this. But it doesn't go far enough. These groups use any space they're given to reset and grow. They need to be crushed, not contained.