Coca growers burn control post in Villa Tunari following clash with Umopar
Coca growers retook the El Castillo post in Cochabamba's Tropics after overcoming Umopar agents and burning infrastructure. At least three police officers were wounded.
Coca growers regain control at El Castillo following new clash
Coca growers burned belongings, objects and infrastructure at the El Castillo control post in the Tropics of Cochabamba, hours after agents from the Rural Mobile Patrol Unit (Umopar) managed to recover it, according to El Deber.
The anti-narcotics personnel had retaken control of the post in the early morning hours through an operation that resulted in a confrontation. However, in response to the operation, community members overpowered the agents and retook the location, which had remained under their control for approximately two months.
The burning of a shelter was preliminarily reported along with additional damage to the infrastructure of the post, located in the municipality of Villa Tunari. As of the last reports, the location remained in the hands of the coca growers.
At least three Umopar police officers were reportedly wounded during the incidents. The coca growers also stated they had casualties among their ranks, although the number and severity of injuries was not specified.
To date there is no official report on the extent of material damage or the full scope of the incidents recorded.
Source: El Deber