Defense minister proposes new push against criminal groups

Colombia's defense minister proposes a strategy, including the creation of a Joint Task Force, aimed at destroying the infrastructure of criminal organizations throughout the country, El Espectador reports.
Rodrigo Rivera presented the new strategy, known as "D6," to President Juan Manuel Santos Monday.
The document, over 20 pages in length, is the result of a series of intelligence meetings involving key personnel from various government forces.

"We have a major challenge against the BACRIM [the government's term for emerging criminal groups]," said the minister, adding that the new plan will incorporate an "unprecedented coordination" between the army, the Marine Corps, the air force, the police and intelligence agency DAS.
Intelligence gathering over the past few months has supposedly permitted government forces to establish the location, leaders, mobility routes and the sphere of influence of these criminal organizations.
The proposed Joint Task Force will include experts in reconnaissance, sniping and explosives, among other important fields. It is expected to function akin to the joint forces created to combat the FARC, which achieved notable successes in retaking former guerrilla strongholds.
The new strategy aims to tackle not only the leaders but also the whole structure of these organizations, according to Semana.
"D6" consists of six components, all beginning with "D" in Spanish, namely to disrupt, dismantle, deter, deny, address, and publicise the fight against, these criminal groups.
The wide-ranging strategy further aims to prevent the involvement of criminal organizations in the electoral process, as well as the infiltration of criminals into the security forces.
The proposal follows President Santos' declaration of a "crusade against delinquency and crime" and his subsequent order take the initiative and "act decisively before the onslaught of criminals."
According to the NGOs such as Human Rights Watch, these organizations consist primarily of "demobilized" paramilitary members and are present in at least 16 of Colombia's 32 departments.