In a significant crackdown on organized crime, Ecuador's Attorney General's Office has pressed charges against twenty individuals believed to be affiliated with the dissident FARC group known as 'Oliver Sinisterra.' These arrests were made during a military operation that involved incursions in the northern border canton of Eloy Alfaro, specifically in the areas of Juan Montalvo and Zapallito. The operation targeted suspected participants in illegal arms trafficking, reflecting the government's increasing focus on combating such criminal activities.

During the first incursion, members of the Armed Forces faced gunfire as they descended by helicopter into the mountainous area of Juan Montalvo. This confrontation led to the neutralization of an individual identified as Kevin R., who was stated to be a member of the dissident group. The military actions were part of an ongoing effort to restore order and address the rising tide of violence associated with these dissident factions of the former FARC, which have become increasingly active in drug trafficking and organized crime in the region.

The decision to mandate preventive detention for the apprehended suspects was made by a judge from the Penal Judicial Unit in Eloy Alfaro. This legal action represents a critical step in prosecuting those involved in serious criminal offenses related to arms trafficking, which poses a significant threat to public security in Ecuador. The ongoing situation underscores the challenges faced by the Ecuadorian government in curbing the influence of criminal organizations in the border region.