The Colombian Air Force (FAC) aircraft that crashed in FARC-controlled territory was not shot down as claimed by the guerrillas, the air force said Saturday after having inspected the plane.
According to the FAC, “the Colombian Air Force has demonstrated how the FARC tried to dis-inform and generate confusion …, deceiving the national and international community by taking advantage of the situation and manipulating the scene of events.”
The indigenous community of the Jambalo municipality where the plane crashed have been trying to remove the remains of the aircraft and turn them over to civilian authorities.
The locals want the remains off their land because of the risks posed by the explosive materials still on the scene where the airplane crashed.
The removal of the remains is being made difficult because of ongoing fighting between armed forces and guerrillas.
The FARC have surrendered the remains of the two pilots on board the plane to the Red Cross.