JUNÍN,PERÚ-AGOSTO 01. El ministro de Defensa, Jorge Nieto Montesinos, y el jefe del Comando Conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas, José Luis Paredes Lora, presentan el Grupo Especial Integrado, y que estará dedicado a ejecutar operaciones conjuntas en el Valle de los Ríos Apurímac, Ene y Mantaro (Vraem). Foto: ANDINA/Vidal Tarqui
Peruvian Government plans to strengthen territorial control over the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro rivers (Vraem), Defense Minister Jorge Nieto affirmed on Wednesday.
The Defense head also underlined Peru's harsh fight against terrorism will remain on.
He noted that —while subversion decreased in Vraem— his sector remains vigilant and in close coordination with the National Police to tackle the
terrorism-drug-trafficking nexus.
"We attempt to consolidate effective territorial control over Vraem, although this will result in future clashes, with remnants of terror still around […] We are working to effectively pacify and control the area," he pointed out.
According to Nieto, terrorist elements have given up their plan to achieve power through terror and have teamed up with drug-traffickers, instead.
As is known,
coca cultivation in this area is estimated at over 18,000 ha. However, illicit crops have not been reduced, due to the presence of remnants.
Nieto emphasized that one of the Government's key aims is to improve development options, such as building bridges and maintaining roads.
(END) MVF/CCR/RMB/MVB
Published: 8/16/2017