The northern Colombian city of Riohacha is to be militarized in an attempt to isolate criminal gangs and generally improve safety in the area, reported local media on Tuesday.
Riohacha in the northern La Guajira department of Colombia’s Carribean region will be militarized Tuesday after a decision made during a security council chaired by Mayor Rafael Ceballos Sierra. Armed forces, local police and various other security authorities were also in attendance.
According to newspaper El Espectador, the meeting also allowed the military to present their plans for overall safety within the city that will be developed throughout November.
After previous successful joint operations between the army and the police, the mayor hoped it would be an opportunity to isolate criminal gangs in the city.
A police station will also allegedly be inaugurated next Monday in the area that will, among other things, address social issues in the entire area.