The Ecuadorian Armed Forces have launched a significant operation against illegal mining activities in Alto Punino, located in the Orellana province of the Ecuadorian Amazon. With the support of aerial resources, military forces targeted the area, successfully disabling machinery employed in these illicit operations. This initiative is part of a broader effort to undermine the economic foundations of organized crime in the region.

During this operation, three individuals were apprehended on charges of engaging in illegal activities related to mining. This crackdown is particularly important given the recent violence in the area, which includes the murder of 11 soldiers by presumed members of the Comandos de Frontera last year. The army emphasized that operations against illegal mining not only concern law enforcement but also aim to safeguard the integrity of local communities and the environment.

Additionally, military efforts have not been limited to Alto Punino; similar interventions were reported in the Podocarpus National Park recently. These operations utilized artillery and targeted various locations where camps, illegal mines, and machinery supporting unauthorized mining activities were present. The continued military presence and operations in these areas signal a determined push against illegal mining and organized crime, with potential implications for local economies and environmental preservation efforts.