Special forces deployed in San Ignacio following six murders in 72 hours
A military contingent flew to San Ignacio de Velasco on Tuesday to halt a wave of violence that left six dead in three days across Santa Cruz, Beni and that border municipality.
Military forces arrive in San Ignacio de Velasco following chain of crimes
A contingent of special forces from the Armed Forces departed on Tuesday towards San Ignacio de Velasco aboard a BAE aircraft of the Bolivian Air Force, according to El Deber. The deployment was ordered by the Government to contain the escalating violence gripping that border region of Santa Cruz department.
Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano confirmed that the mobilisation was coordinated with the Armed Forces High Command. "We have spoken with the general commander of the Armed Forces so that as of today we have reinforcement of military forces and special forces," he stated. Justiniano clarified that the personnel would remain in the area "for as long as necessary" and that the contingent includes staff trained in special operations and high-risk threats.
The decision came after four murders recorded in just over 24 hours in the municipality itself. Two of the victims were shot dead on Monday night inside a residence whilst conducting a live broadcast on social media. The other two crimes occurred hours earlier at different residences in the municipality, which triggered police operations and demands for greater state presence.
The violence was not limited to San Ignacio. On Tuesday morning, a 32-year-old man was shot dead in the southern zone of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. On Sunday, another person was shot with at least five shots in Trinidad, Beni department. With those two cases added to the four in San Ignacio, the total toll reaches six dead between Sunday and Tuesday.
The military deployment will be executed in coordination with the Police. According to the Defence Ministry, the objective is to restore peace to a population that in recent days has expressed fear at the advance of armed violence in the region.
Source: El Deber