Santos´ fight against guerrillas and BACRIM
President Juan Manuel Santos on Monday hailed the benefits of external co-operation in Colombia’s fight against guerrillas, drug trafficking and criminal gangs.
The head of state was speaking at the 82nd annual meeting of Interpol, the intergovernmental organisation for international police cooperation, which began Monday in the northern city of Cartagena.
“If Colombia can say today that these large and sinister drug cartels, with a capacity for action and influence beyond our borders, are a thing of the past, then it is thanks to external co-operation,” said Santos before the Police Commanders of 190 countries.
“Not only do I believe in the importance of sharing knowledge, experience and information, but we have been doing so for decades because we know it works,” added the commander in chief.
Santos continued, assuming responsibility for Colombia’s continued commitment to international security.
“[The National Police and Interpol-Colombia] work with sacrifice, dedication and discipline to curb all manifestations of crime…They do so by sharing information and their experiences inside and outside of our country.”
“Such shared knowledge is an indispensable asset as we work together to make the world a safer place.”
Santos stated that Interpol-Colombia had participated in 16 transnational operations against crime within the last year alone.
“We affect supply chain precursors, goods and counterfeit medicines and we capture those responsible for these crimes. Cooperation produces results.”
Furthermore, General Rodolfo Palomino, Colombia’s Director of National Police, on Sunday expressed his confidence that the meeting will lead to greater global security.
“Cooperation is vital for the success of effectively containing transnational criminal activities.”
The Interpol General Assembly will run until Thursday and has the theme, “Interpol: 190 countries, one goal for a safer world.”
During these four days global security experts and police leaders will discuss crimes ranging from trafficking of goods and arms, to terrorism to the illicit trafficking of persons.
The meeting will see an additional 2,500 police officers patrol the city throughout the week. In addition, extra security measures include seven helicopters, four drones, a team of experts in chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and explosive sniffer dogs.
The police chief expressed his delight that Colombia has been chosen to host this meeting and believes that it is in “recognition of the effort of the government in the fight against all forms of crime.”
“Colombia today is a country that has advanced in competitiveness, a country where investment is not only a possibility but a certainty of success,” concluded Rodolfo.
Colombia Politics view
Public safety and law and order are key pillars of the election strategy both for Santos and for opponents – particularly the Uribistas. Santos claims Colombia is a safer place on his watch while those loyal to former president Alvaro Uribe, argue official statistics have been manipulated, and that the situation is deteriorating.
President Santos is often accused of being most at home in an international setting. Conferences and set piece events are bread and butter for the regime. The problem for Santos is Colombians are losing faith in his administration. He will need to work more on translating the statistics into realities for ordinary Colombians. His re-election depends in part on his ability to do just that.
