Interview with the commander of the Navy about lost boats in Venezuela ELESPECTADOR.COM

The commander of the Navy, Evelio Ramírez, indicated that they are investigating why three boats were left in Venezuelan territory. He gave details of the armament that was on board and of the communications that existed between his men and the Venezuelan navy.

The Commander of the National Navy, Admiral Evelio Ramírez, spoke with El Espectador about the episode that occurred this weekend with three boats from that institution that ended up in Venezuelan territory, after the boats apparently were released from a control on the banks of the Meta river, in the border department of Vichada. The high official of the military institution indicated that until Saturday afternoon everything was arranged for the boats to be returned.

The Oriente Naval Force, based in Puerto Carreño (Vichada), clarified the versions broadcast from Venezuela by the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, about the alleged seizure of three combat boats with weapons and emblems of the Colombian Navy, in abandoned state, located in the Chorro El Mono sector, Orinoco river, Cedeño municipality, in the State of Bolívar.

What is the investigation about the loss of these three boats?

That investigation is progressing from the moment the facts were known. An investigation was initiated to establish the circumstances that led to these boats ending up in waters of the Venezuelan Orinoco. However, I have to refrain from revealing the details of what we have found until it is over so that due diligence is not affected.

What boats were they?

the information circulating in Venezuela is that these would be part of a conspiracy
Unfortunately, it is associated with that episode. The boats are perfectly identified with the logos of the National Navy. Furthermore, the Venezuelan Navy identifies that these are boats of the Colombian Public Force. In the daily work they cross paths and know the naval capabilities. When these events occur, the Naval Force of the East that the vessels are already entering Venezuelan waters is informed to the naval post of Puerto Páez de Venezuela. At that time they are asked for support to locate these boats. They have a very good attitude and they promise to look for them and once they found them they would report.

When did you hear about the situation?

This happened around three in the morning on Saturday, approximately. At around 7 a.m. they informed our liaison in Puerto Carreño that the boats had already been found on a bank of the Orinoco River. And they request to start coordinating the return of the boats. At 10 a.m. on the same Saturday there is another communication in which they ask for the names of the people in the army who are going to receive them and things are going up there. Finally, yesterday Sunday morning, they report that the high command assumed control of that situation and that they no longer have any responsibility.

What are those boats carrying?

They are three. Two of them Boston Whaler, who are armed and a third who is logistic, in which the troop is transported. These carry weapons, .50 machine guns, rifles and ammunition.

With whom was the link with Venezuela made if Colombia does not have diplomatic relations with the neighboring country?

At the moment it is done directly with the Venezuelan naval post that is in Puerto Páez by telephone.

What’s next in this case?

The most important thing is to establish the causes of this episode that are regrettable, irregular, do not conform to the protocols and procedures of the Navy. It is our commitment to determine what happened.

How often does this type of event usually happen?
None, there is no history.

How close did this occur to the border?

Approximately two kilometers from the limit. The point where the boats were located is at the mouths of the Meta River, where it flows into the Orinoco River. I traveled to that point by presidential order and a simulation was done with boats to try to establish the times they determined. In approximately five or six minutes those boats will cross into Venezuelan territory. We recommend that you do not contribute to giving information that ends up disorienting and generating suspicions that are not convenient.