Through a statement issued by the National Army, it became known about the investigation carried out by seven soldiers of the institution, for their alleged participation in the rape of a 13-year-old indigenous girl of the Embera Chamí ethnic group, in Risaralda, center of the country, just when in this South American country Congress has passed a life sentence law for child rapists.
“We do not tolerate any type of abuse of minors, much less when it involves uniforms that muddy honor the forces with mean acts such as the one denounced in Pereira against an indigenous girl”, Colombian President Iván Duque has said.
“I have given orders to @mindefensa to diligently support @FiscaliaCol investigations,” he added.
“In facts that are the subject of investigation, it was learned that, in the afternoon of June 22, 2020, it seems that a group of soldiers belonging to the San Mateo Battalion would be involved in a possible case of sexual abuse, apparently with a minor. of age, belonging to the Embera Chamí indigenous reservation, ”the Army describes in the statement.
The events occurred in the township of Santa Cecilia, in the municipality of Pueblo Rico, Risaralda. And the situation was brought to the attention of the unit commander by a non-commissioned officer to initiate the investigation and the disciplinary action that may take place.
The minor was transferred to a health post where she underwent a medical evaluation and was attended by the Childhood and Adolescence Unit and the Pueblo Rico Family Police Station.
In the communiqué, the National Army rejects this type of criminal act that – they say – goes against the institutional values of the institution. And it ensures that they are attentive to the decisions made by the control entities.
At a press conference, Major General Luis Mauricio Ospina, commander of the Fifth Division of the San Mateo de Risaralda Battalion, reported that these events are the subject of investigation.
The official assured that there are speculations that affirm that it is seven men who have raped the minor of 12 years. He argued that those involved would be private soldiers who between 18 and 21 years of age, who are currently retired from service.
For his part, Juan de Dios Queragama, indigenous governor of the Gito Dokabú reservation, to which the victim belongs, asked for justice in light of this fact.
“At this moment we are looking for the victim of this case. Formally we are going to ask the ordinary law to give us those victimizers to the safeguard for us, you also come from our autonomy, otherwise we are going to demand life imprisonment so that continue to respect us as an indigenous reservation, “the community leader.
This event occurred in Colegio Pio XII of the Santa Cecilia district. It was learned that the victim filed the complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation, so the facts will be processed by the ordinary justice.