Colombia and Spain reinforced their international cooperation by holding the first Hispanic-Colombian Commision on Security and Defense in Bogota on Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
Colombian Vice Minister of Defense, Jorge Enrique Bedoya, met with the Director of Defense Policy of Spain, Admiral Juan Francisco Martinez, to discuss issues such as organized crime, humanitarian demining, and military maratime operations.
“In today’s world, where crime is an international issue, countries must to bind for stability and Colombia provides an example of persistency and seriousness seldom seen in the world,” Admiral Martinez said.
He added that Spain recognises and “admires” the contribution made by Colombia’s armed forces on the issues.
According to the Ministry, security policy in the fight against organized crime, control of improvised explosives, land and maritime operations, humanitarian demining, training operations to rescue military in combat zones, and mobility strategies of ground troops, were among the issues discussed in the meeting.
The discussion follows a visit by Colombian Minister of Defense, Juan Carlos Pinzon, who visited Spain last June where he met with his Spanish counterpart, Francisco Martinez Vazquez. The pair agreed to establish mechanisms for exchange of experiences and cooperation to tackle crimes affecting public safety as well as common crimes.
On Tuesday, Spanish authorities dismantled what they claim was the primary money “collection office” for Colombia’s drug trafficking cartel “the Urabeños” in the European country. The operation by Spanish Police resulted in the capture of 13 members of the cartel who dealt with the responsible for collecting drug-related debts through extortion, kidnapping or targeted killings in the country.
MORE: Authorities in Spain shut down ‘collection office’ of Colombia’s Urabeños Cartel
