Colombia records 17,000 arrests in 36 days, says president

Colombian President De la Espriella announced on Thursday that the country’s security forces had carried out 17,147 arrests since August 7, when he assumed the presidency. The number was released during an official statement, in which the president also detailed actions against leaders of groups he called “narcoterrorists”.

Since August 7, 17,147 arrests have been made. There are more than 17,000 arrests in just 36 days of government,” he said. The balance represents an average of approximately 476 arrests per day in the period.

Offensive against drug trafficking leaders

According to De la Espriella, security forces have hit 24 leaders of the main structures he has classified as “narcoterrorists” in the country since August 7. Of the total, 19 were captured and five died during police and military operations.

The president did not detail the names of the leaders or the regions where the operations took place. The source did not detail whether the actions focused on specific areas of Colombian territory.

Transfer of prisoners to military facilities

The president also determined the analysis of the situation of persons deprived of their liberty held in military facilities or police stations. According to him, transfers must be made from those who are in those places without meeting the legal requirements to stay there.

The measure aims to adapt the custody of detainees to current regulations, preventing people from staying in inadequate places for prolonged time. The source did not specify how many prisoners could be transferred or the deadline for the completion of the analysis.

Anti-terrorism status under development

Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara said he was working on a “counter-terrorism statute.” The statement was given in the context of the presidential announcement, but no details were provided on the content of the proposal or its processing in Congress.

The creation of an anti-terrorism statute can expand legal tools for combating armed groups and organized crime. The source did not detail whether the text will include changes in criminal or procedural law.

Peaceful protests versus violent acts

During the speech, the Colombian president also distinguished peaceful demonstrations from violent acts. He said protests carried out within constitutional limits would be respected, but actions against security forces and the civilian population would not be treated as demonstrations.

“The peaceful protest exercised within the framework of the Constitution and the law will be respected and guaranteed by my government. But urban terrorism, vandalism, the destruction of infrastructure and attacks against our public force and the civilian population are not protests,” he said.

The speech comes at a time of social tension in Colombia, where demonstrations have taken place in several cities. The president did not cite specific episodes, but stressed that the government will distinguish between the legitimate exercise of the right to protest and acts of violence.

Context and next steps

The figures presented by De la Espriella indicate an intensification of security operations since the beginning of his government. The average daily number of arrests exceeds that recorded in previous periods, according to official data quoted by the president, although the source has not detailed historical comparisons.

The announcement of the anti-terrorism status and the review of detention conditions at military facilities signal that the government intends to tighten the fight against organized crime while adapting custody practices to legal norms.

The international community is closely following developments in Colombia, especially with regard to human rights and the use of force. The government did not say whether there would be periodic disclosure of arrest data or whether operations would be expanded in the coming weeks.

For the Brazilian reader, the Colombian situation serves as a reference on public security policies and their social impacts. The Boca no Trombone Portal will continue to monitor the developments and will bring new information as soon as it is released by the Colombian authorities.

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Abelardo de la Espriella (www.gov.co)