As time goes on, more details are emerging about the caravan of vehicles from the National Protection Unit (UNP) traveling the roads of Antioquia. This convoy included members of the Central General Staff (EMC) of the dissident factions of the FARC. The situation was highlighted by Governor Andrés Julián Rendón, ultimately leading to the arrest of several individuals involved.
The actions surrounding this incident raised numerous irregularities. It came to light that the national government had authorized the movement of only particular members from the negotiating team of this subversive group, including Alexander Díaz Mendoza, also known as Calarcá, who leads the Magdalena Medio block of the EMC. This revelation sparked immediate reactions from political opponents.
Among those responding were Senator Paloma Valencia from the Democratic Center party and political strategist José Obdulio Gaviria. Both took to social media to express their concerns, fueling the ongoing debate about the origins of the convoy.
González Posso, the head of the government’s negotiating team, mentioned that the group was traveling from Catatumbo to the Llanos Orientales, specifically to the Yarí region in Caquetá, following a scheduled meeting at the end of the fifth cycle of negotiations between the parties involved. He emphasized that this was separate from the structures controlled by Iván Mordisco, who had withdrawn from the dialogue process.
González Posso stated, “The caravan, which was stopped for inspection, was returning from a meeting of commanders after the fifth cycle. They were headed to a gathering in the Yarí scheduled for tomorrow regarding territorial transformations.” He aimed to clarify the controversy surrounding this incident, which threatened to tarnish the ongoing peace process.
The chief negotiator also addressed the recent arrest of Édgar de Jesús Orrego Arango, alias "Firu," noting that he had his capture order suspended, indicating that this was an irregular situation handled according to legal protocols.
Gaviria was the first to comment on the development. He linked the event to the upcoming electoral situation in Venezuela, claiming that the insurgents arrested by soldiers from the IV Brigade had mobilized from there. He questioned whether the captured FARC delegation was conducting state-level contacts in Venezuela and wondered about the implications for Venezuelan leaders Maria Corina and Edmundo.
These remarks sparked further reactions, prompting Gaviria to make serious allegations. He criticized the Interior Minister, Juan Fernando Cristo, asking, “If the UNP delivered seven armored trucks to a criminal group, what does that mean in the minister’s view—‘improper use?’” Gaviria characterized these actions as crossing boundaries, suggesting that for these groups, every crime is a step toward their revolutionary goals.
Valencia also voiced her outrage over the situation, responding critically to González Posso’s statements regarding the criminal behavior of the dissident organization. She echoed the sentiments of Governor Rendón, highlighting that mayors in his department were facing threats without UNP protection while resources were being diverted elsewhere.
She expressed her horror, stating, “While the dissidents kill and recruit children, the government authorizes terrorists to move with Colombian taxpayers’ money, violating the law. Are they collaborating with terrorism?” Valencia, earlier on social media, had shared the criminal background of "Firu," a key player among the dissidents.
She further implicated "Firu" in human rights violations, insisting that the government could not authorize anything outside the law. “They are armed terrorists, responsible for the recent murder of six soldiers. Questions remain: Is it true they were carrying about 60 million in cash and gold in one truck? Did they come from Venezuela? If they were in Venezuela, what were they doing there just before elections?” she questioned.
The ongoing dialogue about this caravan continues to raise significant concerns regarding the peace process and the relationships between various political factions in Colombia. For further insights, you can follow updates from reputable news sources like BBC and Reuters.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/07/24/paloma-valencia-y-obdulio-gaviria-cuestionaron-a-petro-por-escadalo-de-caravana-de-la-unp-venian-de-venezuela/
