Santa Marta, the popular Caribbean tourist hub of about 580,000 residents, was forced to a near‑standstill on Wednesday after an illegal armed group issued threats against local businesses and transportation. President Abelardo De La Espriella responded swiftly, ordering the deployment of 1,100 members of the Armed Forces and the National Police to secure the city.
President’s decisive action
Wearing a bullet‑proof vest and a sidearm, President De La Espriella visited the city on Tuesday night, patrolling streets that were also monitored by military fighter jets. In a press briefing he warned that the group’s tactics – firing at businesses, setting transport vehicles ablaze and demanding closures – were intended to spread fear, and he declared, “We cannot allow that.” He added a firm promise: “If they don’t submit, I’m going to send them to hell in a bag, as is appropriate and as they deserve.”
Armed group’s retaliation
The Conquering Self‑Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN), an illegal armed group of more than 800 members, claimed responsibility for the shutdown. The group said the actions were retaliation for the killing on Monday of 13 of its members, including a commander known as Bendito Menor, during a recent armed‑forces operation. ACSN members fired shots at businesses on Tuesday and set public‑transport and cargo vehicles on fire, according to police reports.
Security measures and community impact
Despite the president’s call for residents to resume normal activities, streets remained largely empty on Wednesday, with many shops either closed or operating under restrictions. A local resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told a Colombian television station, “We’re afraid of possible attacks; the Army and the police aren’t enough to protect the entire city.”
The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá issued a security alert for Santa Marta and surrounding areas of Magdalena and La Guajira, urging travelers to avoid the region until the situation stabilizes. The United Nations Office for Human Rights in Colombia also condemned the violent actions and the resulting restrictions on freedom of movement.
Broader context
Security sources note that the ACSN is involved in cocaine production and trafficking in northern Colombia, as well as extortion of businesses in the transportation and tourism sectors. President De La Espriella emphasized that the government will not tolerate attempts to intimidate citizens or undermine the country’s vital tourism industry.
As the militarized response continues, local authorities hope the visible presence of troops and police will deter further attacks and allow Santa Marta’s economy to recover quickly. The president’s hands‑on approach reflects a broader national commitment to protect Colombian citizens, uphold law and order, and preserve the freedoms that families and communities rely on.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
