The Venezuelan Army would have bombed a camp of the National Liberation Army (ELN) in the Buena Vista sector of Meta, Apure state, bordering Colombia, according to preliminary reports that until now have not been confirmed by the authorities.
“Local reports indicate an alleged bombing by the Venezuelan Army against an ELN camp in Buena Vista del Meta, Edo Apure, on the border with Colombia,” Rocío San Miguel, president of Citizen Control for Security, Defense and the National Armed Forces, said through her social network account X.
“Members of the ELN would have been discharged. Official information from the State is expected, indicating the total number of deaths and the scope of the military operation,” he added.
The former deputy Juan Francisco García Escalona, coordinator of Fundaredes in Apure, reported this Saturday, October 31, that the operation had occurred on Friday in that border area and that it left at least 19 dead and a still undetermined number of injured.
“According to preliminary information received from the bombing, nine people would have died and their bodies would have been transferred to San Fernando, where a national Cicpc commission would be carrying out the corresponding forensic procedures,” said the former parliamentarian
According to García Escalona, Another 10 bodies would remain at the site of the alleged attack and several injured people have managed to travel to Colombian territory.
He also indicated that residents of Puerto Páez found documents and personal belongings in the area, including identification and driver’s licenses. in the name of Jesús Javier Brugal Carrero, Juan Carlos Guerrero Márquez, Wilden Luis Solórzano Camacho and Gabriel Carlos Brugal, as well as a credential related to an airport services company in Miami.
So far there is no official balance that allows us to verify the figures, nor establish the identity of the possible victims.
The complaint comes after about 20 days of reports about clashes in the south of the country. García Escalona stated that indigenous residents have reported armed movements in Los Pijiguaos, Bolívar state, and near the Burro Pass, between the Meta and Orinoco rivers, presumably due to disputes over territories where bauxite and coltan are exploited.
“For years I have responsibly warned about the alleged presence of irregular armed groups in this region”he maintained, and assured that the testimonies describe sites used as a rear guard and cocaine collection points.
The leader also denounced pressure against residents of San Rafael, El Terrón, Capanaparo, Achaguas, Quintero and Elorza, in addition to accusations related to Palmarito, Guasdualito, El Amparo, La Victoria and El Nula, and He accused regional and municipal authorities of maintaining links with armed organizations.
