From May 27 to June 19, 2024, the Group of Inter-American Humanitarian Demining Monitors in Colombia (GMI-CO), mission of the Inter-American Defense Board in support of the Comprehensive Action Program against Antipersonnel Mines of the Organization of States Americans (AICMA-OAS), was deployed in Colombian territory, acting in operational evaluations for accreditation of soldiers from the Humanitarian Demining Engineer Brigade of the Colombian National Army and civilians from the non-governmental organization Colombian Campaign Against Mines.
The operational evaluations, with officers from Brazil and Mexico, took place at the Tolemaida Military Fort (Department of Cundinamarca), in addition to training bases in the towns of Carepa (Antioquia) and Puerto Asis (Putumayo), accrediting 56 Colombians (37 military and 19 civilians) to operate as deminers, demining leaders and supervisors, as well as experts in explosive ordnance disposal. In addition to them, a soldier from the Mexican Army who was studying at the International Demining Center of the Colombian Army was also evaluated. Brazilian Army Major Luã Mascarenhas de Carvalho, who supported the evaluations, points out that such action “is always an excellent opportunity to contribute to the noble fight against mines in Colombia.”
Since 2006, the GMI-CO has supported the efforts of the OAS and Colombian authorities to reduce the effects of antipersonnel mines and improvised explosive devices, which have penalized the population of this country for six decades. Currently, the Group is made up of officers from the Brazilian Navy, Brazilian Army and Mexican Army.
