President Abelardo de la Espriella authorized a targeted airstrike against FARC dissident camps in Tibú, Norte de Santander, during the early hours of Monday, November 9, resulting in four deaths and the capture of six individuals, including a mid-level commander.
The military operation, dubbed Operation Noah, utilized Super Tucano aircraft to strike the 33rd Front of the FARC dissidents. According to reporting from elcolombiano.com, the strike targeted a camp area in a rural zone of the municipality, leading to the destruction of three camps capable of housing approximately 35 people.
The Noah Operation Results
- Casualties: Four members of the FARC dissidents were killed during the bombardment.
- High-Value Capture: Jorge Luis Galvis Rodríguez, known as “Barba Chivo,” was detained after 11 years of criminal activity.
- Seized Material: Military forces recovered seven rifles and 15 mortar grenades designed for drone deployment.
De la Espriella signs and blesses ordnance
In a moment that blends military precision with intense political symbolism, De la Espriella personally marked one of the munitions. As an Aerospace Force officer presented a bomb destined for the 33rd Front, the President used a marker to write “Bienvenidos a la patria milagro” (Welcome to the miracle homeland) on the surface of the device, followed by his signature.
The President did not stop at the inscription. He also offered a blessing to the artifact before it was deployed from the aircraft.
“This criminal had been engaging in crime and leading armed confrontations in Tibú for nearly 11 years,” De la Espriella stated via social media this morning.
Military strikes hit the 33rd Front
The ground phase of the operation saw Army special commands enter the area following the aerial bombardment. They discovered the remnants of three destroyed camps. The mission neutralized much of the Magdalena Medio Block command structure of the EMBF, a group led by Alexander Díaz Mendoza, alias “Calarcá.”
| Category | Details of Operation Noah |
|---|---|
| Primary Target | FARC Dissident 33rd Front |
| Location | Tibú, Norte de Santander |
| Ordnance Used | Super Tucano aircraft / 460kg payload |
Political stakes in the Catatumbo region
The strike is part of a broader, aggressive stance taken by the current administration against the structures led by “Calarcá.” De la Espriella has made it clear that the government intends to maintain a continuous offensive to reclaim territory currently held by criminal organizations.
“To ‘Calarcá’ and his criminal structures, I warn you: we will not allow you to continue turning Catatumbo into your refuge of terror,” the President asserted. He emphasized that the order is to strike structures and destroy criminal capabilities to regain control of every contested territory.
The hunt for other high-ranking leaders, specifically “Iván Mordisco” and “Calarcá,” remains the central focus of the executive’s security agenda.
