A mortar attack allegedly launched by Colombia’s largest armed guerrilla group FARC resulted in no injuries and no damage to a naval base in the southwest of the country, the Navy said Tuesday.
The base protects oil handling facilities at the port of Tumaco, a town less than 30 miles from the border with Ecuador.
The attack resulted of only four mortar rounds exploding and three more being deactivated later, Naval Commander for the Pacific Admiral Pablo Emilio Romero told Caracol Radio.
On Tuesday, the navy continued to scour the Tumaco nieghbourhood of Nuevo Milenio, where attack was allegedly launched from.
This is the second mortar attack in as many weeks in the border region with Ecuador, after an alleged FARC attack left 20 homes destroyed.
MORE: ‘FARC attack’ leaves 20 homes destroyed on Colombia, Ecuador border.
The attack also comes only a week after the aniversary of the Havana peace talks between Colombia’s government and the rebel group.
MORE: 365 days after talks began: Colombia continues on precarious path towards peace
The parties have not agreed upon a ceasefire during the negotiations — meaning that both continue to carry out military operations and attacks. Nevertheless, according to statistics provided by Colombia’s Ministry of Defense, the number of attacks on security forces and civilian targets dropped 46% over the past year.
MORE: Rebel Attacks In Colombia Drop 46% On Year: Ministry
Tumaco, Nariño
Sources
- Atentado de las Farc contra la Armada en Tumaco (Caracol Radio)