As part of the Basalto missions in Paraguay and Ágata in Brazil, the Armed Forces of both countries mobilized troops in the departments of Alto Paraná and Canindeyú in Paraguay, and Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil, in the fight against organized crime.
The Ministry of Defense of Paraguay held a press conference with retired General Minister Óscar González, highlighting the results of Basalto I 2024, with a blow of USD 18,975,000 to criminal organizations dedicated to drug trafficking in what is a hot zone between both countries.
The presented balance indicates the seizure of more than 100 firearms, 102,688 missing ammunitions detected, and seven security companies operating irregularly. In addition, 630,303 kilograms of marijuana, 33 narco camps that were destroyed, and 28 individuals apprehended were reported.
Among the tasks and activities carried out by the different branches of the Paraguayan army, there was surveillance and control of airspace in 119 hectares by the Air Force. Over 50 army checkpoints and their Joint Task Force and CODI unit, and 333 hours of river patrol by the Navy.
“While Basalto I has ended, operations will continue throughout the area. There was a positive result in a coordinated and joint operation; coordinated with Brazilian troops and joint because it was carried out not only with army branches but also with operations of the National Police and other state institutions. This will be the first of several similar operations to come“, Minister González stated at the press conference.
Regarding the support of the Paraguayan Army, General Manuel Rodríguez, the commanding general, emphasized: “More than a hundred military operations were available to support the operations, deployed throughout the Amambay department“. It was also emphasized that Basalto I incurred no additional costs to the Paraguayan state.
In terms of dimensions, 1,300 kilometers of border line between Paraguay and Brazil were swept in joint fluvial, aerial, and terrestrial operations.
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