Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos denies recent accusations
by Ecuadorean NGOs that Colombian armed forced are operating on Ecuadorean territory.
“Our forces have strict orders not to cross the border and I am certain they have complied and didn’t cross the border,” the Defense Minister told RCN radio.
Two non-governmental organizations in Ecuador said Tuesday that Colombian military for several hours detained three Ecuadorean boats in the waters of the River San Miguel, in the border area, while another group of at least 30 soldiers entered the territory of the neighboring country and raided farms of Ecuadorian peasants, who were beaten by the troops.
The groups didn’t specify details of the alleged intrusion and said it based it’s allegations on statements of witnesses in the area.
Santos repeated the Colombian wish to collaborate with Ecuador in border patrols. “If there is a collaboration, you can be sure those who are going win are Colombia and Ecuador and those how will lose are the FARC and the drug traffickers.”