EL COLOMBIANO, April 28, 2022
(Translated by Eunice Gibson, CSN Volunteer Translator)
“Get down on the floor. Take it easy. Nothing’s going to happen; pretend we’re going to sleep now,” a teacher was heard trying to calm the children that were crying, as rifle shots were heard in the distance. In El Tarra, in Norte de Santander, the armed groups were battling in the midst of the Children’s Day celebration.
The crossfire took place this Wednesday afternoon, April 27, right near the El Tarra sports center. According to information furnished by the Mayor of the Municipality, Yair Díaz Peñaranda, there were some 2,500 civilians, mostly children, caught in the middle of the gunfire.
“We were all together, celebrating Children’s Day. Sadly, a little girl and an adult were injured in the crossfire. We are calling on all of the armed actors to leave the boys and girls out of this conflict,” said Mayor Díaz Peñaranda just minutes after the fight.
It’s known that the illegal armed groups were shooting at soldiers of the Armed Forces that were in the area.
According to General Fabio Leonardo Caro, Commander of the Special Command in Norte de Santander, the attack resulted from an alliance between the ELN with the Dissidents of the FARC 33rd Front.
“The two people that were injured received first aid, and were transferred to the Duarte Medical Clinic in Cúcuta. They are out of danger now,” said General Caro.
For its part, the Ombudsman’s Office asked that the illegal organizations show respect for the law, and apply International Humanitarian Law.