Two Colombians arrested in Amazonas for illegal mining
Venezuelan soldiers arrested two Colombians for being allegedly linked to illegal mining in a national park in Amazonas statereported this Sunday the operational strategic commander of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), Domingo Hernández Lárez.
“(The) FANB in river patrol operations, carried out the arrest of two citizens of Colombian nationality, from the department of Guainía, in the Panorama sector, Atabapo municipality of the state of Amazonas (…) who were traveling to the Yapacana National Park“, wrote the soldier in X.
He also said that the subjects were seized two diving suits, a mask, a 296-liter horizontal freezer, 150 kilograms of food, two gas cylinders, twelve flashlights, among other materials, which were going to be used, he added, in the “logistical support of illegal mining activities in the area.”
«In the state of Amazonas, according to our territorial legal system, Mining and hydrocarbon exploitation is prohibited“, recalled Hernandez Larez.
Within the framework of the Bolivarian Shield Operation “Neblina 2024” for the protection of the Amazonian territory, in accordance with the provisions of the 5th objective of the Plan de la Patria, the 7T, the CRBV, security and defense plans, the Environmental Criminal Law and the Water Law, #FANB in… pic.twitter.com/rDq1GIAtBH
— GJ. Domingo Hernandez Larez (@dhernandezlarez) September 1, 2024
On August 20, the military official announced that the FANB destroyed materials intended for “illegal mining” in Amazonas.
Through X, the military reported the destruction of nine motor pumps, eight 220-liter plastic drums, 20 meters of hose, 40 meters of black plastic and other materials.
He also indicated that the destruction of this material was done within the framework of ‘Operation Neblina 2024’, an operation that was created, according to the FANB, in Amazonas “to protect natural spaces”such as “national parks and monuments, forest and biosphere reserves.”
Mining activities in protected areas of Amazonas denounced
Last July, the Venezuelan NGO SOS Orinoco denounced “prohibited” mining activities in “protected territories” of the Amazon “with the support of the Bolivarian National Guard” (GNB, militarized police), an activity “perpetrated” by “Brazilian garimpeiros (metal or precious stone prospectors).”
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said in June that Venezuela needs to “organize” mining through a productive, ecological and preserving concept, after acknowledging the existence of the mafia in this sector and the “destructive” practice.
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