- According to the international organization Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, Colombia is the third most mined country in the world, after Cambodia and Afghanistan.
- “Demining work in Colombia will last at least 10 years” international organization Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor.
Bogotá November 2015. – As part of the new humanitarian demining plan for the period 2016-2018, the Military Industry of Colombia-Indumil, public and private entities and the Presidency of the Republic articulate efforts to promote scientific and technological proposals that contribute to the definitive elimination of Antipersonnel Mines (APM).
According to official figures from the Information Management System on Antipersonnel Mine Activities (IMSMA), between 1990 and September 29, 2015, 11,203 victims were registered in Colombia; Of these, 8,969 were injured and 2,234 died. 4,283 are civilians, 6,920 belong to the Public Force and 1,140 minors were affected.
“Colombia has been affected for more than 50 years by anti-personnel mines that claim the lives of farmers, soldiers and passers-by (…) In addition to making our personnel available, at Indumil we have provided the infrastructure of the Antonio Ricaurte explosives factory located in the municipality of Sibaté, to carry out humanitarian demining actions in various regions of Colombia.” States Cr. (r) Juan Manuel Padilla Cepeda, General Manager of Indumil.
According to the international organization Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, Colombia is the third most mined country in the world, after Cambodia and Afghanistan, and demining efforts in Colombia will last at least 10 years.
“We know that it is not a simple task, but without a doubt we will contribute to the peace of our territory. We will use three techniques, non-tactical study or analysis of MAP contaminated areas, technical study or invasive physical intervention, to confirm or cancel dangerous areas with possible presence of MAP and clear or remove or destroy all mine and debris hazards. war explosives” comments Cr. (r) Padilla.
To date, in Colombia there are four municipalities in three departments that are free of suspected mines (San Carlos and San Francisco – Antioquia, El Dorado- Meta and Zambrano – Bolívar) and humanitarian demining operations are underway in 15 municipalities in four departments. .
“If we manage to meet this quota, we can say that we have freed more than two million square meters (m2) and we have destroyed more than 1,500 artifacts. However, there are still more than 600 municipalities to intervene.” Cr. (r) Padilla concludes.
During the V edition of Expodefensa 2015, which will take place from November 30 to December 2 in Corferias, Indumil, various humanitarian demining devices will be exhibited in the Oscar Pérez Grand Hall level 1, Stan 411, among which is VALI, Anti-Explosive Vehicle. Light designed by Colombian engineers from the Military University and Indumil which has a disruptor cannon that neutralizes explosive devices.
A great achievement for Colombia that increasingly positions the country as a geostrategic reference in technology, security and post-conflict issues.
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