Colombia will boost security for the upcoming elections, especially in the southern departments which face the greatest threat from the FARC.
The 62,000 member National Police force will be on high alert from Saturday May 28 until midnight on Sunday May 29 when the partial results for the country’s primary elections will be received.
According to Director of Citizen Security of the National Police, Jose Roberto Leon Riaño, the southern departments of Nariño, Putumayo, Huila and Guaviare face the most threat from illegal armed groups like the FARC along with the central Tolima department and the department of Arauca on the Venezuelan border.
Twenty-thousand officers of the Metropolitan Police in Bogota will be watching over public order during this weekend’s elections in the capital according to members of the District Security Council.
A dry law will also go into effect for all municipalities which enforce it. From 3:00 AM Sunday morning until midnight the same day, the sale of liquor is prohibited. Arms possession is also prohibited from Friday 6:00 PM until 6:00 AM the following Monday.
On Sunday May 29, 300 municipalities will hold primary elections to decide who will represent each party in the October elections.