National Army deals a forceful blow to the Jaime Martínez residual group in Cauca: military operation results in the neutralization of 5 of its members

Soldiers from the Rapid Deployment Force carried out a decisive military operation that has had a significant impact on several municipalities in Cauca, directly targeting an armed commission of the residual organized group (GAO-r) led by Jaime Martínez, resulting in the deaths of five of its members during the operation.

Thanks to surveillance of the armed group and information obtained from some of its leaders, the troops were able to locate this criminal unit in the La Gallera sector, a rural area of El Tambo, Cauca, where intense fighting took place.

According to military intelligence, this GAO-r Jaime Martínez unit is believed to be responsible for planting explosive devices in the El Túnel sector along the Pan-American Highway, an attack that left more than 20 civilians dead and 45 wounded on April 25.

Furthermore, they are believed to be responsible for the forced displacement of the civilian population in the area in order to dispossess them of their lands and use them to supply the criminal group, as well as for the recruitment of minors. Their criminal activities included the theft of pickup trucks and heavy construction equipment from the Pan-American Highway expansion project, which were later used in terrorist attacks.

The neutralization of these individuals represents a strategic blow to this group’s logistical and terrorist networks, as they are believed to be responsible for drone attacks in rural areas of the municipalities of Jamundí, Valle del Cauca, and Morales, Buenos Aires, and Suárez, Cauca, the latter of which saw eight residents, including seven minors, injured after being targeted by explosives dropped from drones.

The military operation also led to the seizure of eight rifles, a machine gun, ammunition, and military equipment believed to have belonged to the neutralized suspects. This material was turned over to the appropriate authorities.

The military offensive continues in Cauca, where troops are carrying out military operations with the aim of protecting communities and addressing threats that affect the region’s security and peace.