A/HRC/45/CRP.11
for drug trafficking offences.1965 Residents denounced abuses by security forces, claiming
that women trying to defend their families were mistreated, and personal belongings were
stolen.1966
1107. A fourth OLP was carried out on 23 September at “Las Pulgas” (flea) market,
Chiquinquirá parish, municipality of Maracaibo. Major General Urbano confirmed that 1,500
troops, FANB officials, security and intelligence corps were deployed. He also stated that the
OLP had been “directed by our commander in chief and our strategic operational commander
of the armed forces [...]. We have carried out a synchronized, organized and very well
executed operation” that resulted in the arrest of 80 people.1967 Local media also reported the
seizure of 35 tons of food1968 and the demolition of 50 tarantines (artisan shops) in the central
part of the city. There were no reports of deaths.1969
The OLP in Santa Rosa de Agua
1108. One of the officers who participated in the operation revealed to national authorities
that the OLP was planned and prepared the previous day, 13 September 2015, in the GNB
Regional Command Three headquarters. The planning meeting was attended by the
commander of the GNB; the director of the CPBEZ; the head of the National Anti-Extortion
and Kidnapping Command (CONAS); the commander of the Coast Guard and the CICPC. 1970
1109. This source also revealed that CPBEZ police officers were summoned on 14
September 2015 at 1 a.m. to the Directorate of Intelligence and Preventive Strategy (DIEP)
headquarters of Zulia State Police. At 3 a.m., the GNB sealed off the area in which the OLP
was about to be implemented.1971 Planning command for the operation was in the CPBEZ
Directorate in Los Patrulleros sector.1972
1110. The OLP was carried out in accordance with operation orders no. 256-15 and no. 25715 dated 13 and 14 September 2015.1973 The order was implemented between 3 to 7 a.m. at
different points of the city. Six hundred and ten agents from three different security bodies
took part: CPBEZ, in particular from the West Maracaibo Department and DIEP, GNB
(including CONAS) and CICPC.1974 According to some sources, SEBIN officers also
participated, although this has not been confirmed.1975 The CPBEZ component was
commanded by Major General Carlos Sánchez Vargas, CPBEZ director since 2015.1976
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
218
CPBEZ GBZ, Comisión mixta dio de baja a cinco miembros de la banda “Los Chatarreros”, 15
September 2015, available at:
https://www.facebook.com/cpbez.gbz/photos/a.859986000738461/957646460972414/?type=3.
Diario La Verdad, Denuncian abusos en OLP en Santa Rosa de Agua, 14 September 2015, available
at: http://www.laverdad.com/sucesos/82817-denuncian-abu-sos-en-olp-de-santa-rosa-de-agua.html.
Statement by Major General Tito Urbano, OLP despliega más de 1500 efectivos en el estado Zulia,
minutes 0:02 and 0:44, 23 September 2015, available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0AuZSpV-MY.
Notiactual, Madrugan con OLP en las Pulgas y la Avenida Libertador de Maracaibo, 23 September
2015, https://www.notiactual.com/madrugan-con-olp-en-las-pulgas-y-la-avenida-libertador-demaracaibo-fotos/.
Diario Panorama, OLP en Las Pulgas incautó 30 toneladas de alimentos y detuvo a 80 personas, 23
September 2015, article on file with the Mission.
Document C4FF03 on file with the Mission.
Document C4FF03 on file with the Mission.
Ibid.
Document C4FF03 on file with the Mission.
CPBEZ GBZ, Comisión mixta dio de baja a cinco miembros de la banda “Los Chatarreros”, 15
September 2015, available at:
https://www.facebook.com/cpbez.gbz/photos/a.859986000738461/957646460972414/?type=3.
Comisión para los derechos humanos del Zulia (CODHEZ), Lo que fue la Operación Liberación y
Protección del Pueblo en Santa Rosa de Agua en Maracaibo, 4 October 2015, available at:
https://codhez.wordpress.com/2015/10/04/lo-que-fue-la-operacion-liberacion-y-proteccion-delpueblo-en-santa-rosa-de-agua-en-maracaibo-edo-zulia/.
The decision to put a military in charge of the Zulia Police was taken after a corruption scandal
involving police officers in Maracaibo.
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