The protest carried out today by the shopkeepers and other merchants of Barranquilla, in addition to the closure of their businesses, includes a mobilization, having as a meeting point the Plaza de la Paz, from the 9:00 in the morning.
Afterwards, the merchants and those who decide to accompany them will march along Carrera 44 and reach Paseo Bolívar, where they will remain in front of the building of the District Mayor’s Office.
At the headquarters of the Mayor’s Office, the affected merchants will file a document, with which they hope to receive attention from the National Government, according to what was announced by Dina Luz Pardo, Director of Asocentro.
From the first hours, despite the announcements, many Barranquilla residents were surprised by the closure of thousands of businesses, mainly stores, in the five locations of the Atlantic capital.
A hundred small and large businesses have been affected. According to the National Union of Merchants (Undeco) sectional Atlántico, more than 100 establishments commercials have been sold very cheaply, because the owner cannot resist the pressure.
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The panorama is so complex that not only are shopkeepers who have announced their participation in the demonstration, but they have also been joined by restaurants, hairdressers, barbershops, pharmacies, miscellaneous stores and clothing and footwear stores.
fear of denouncing
75 percent of extortion cases are not being reported out of fear, out of fear, because there have been deaths
Vice President of Undeco, Orlando Jimenez, He acknowledged that the authorities are doing their job and capturing those responsible for these extortions, but the problem remains if complaints are not made.
“75 percent of extortion cases are not being reported out of fear, out of fear, because there have been deaths, injuries, because businesses have been shot at. People denounce, they capture the guy and after two months he is on the street, then it is worse, ”says the leader.
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Among other data provided by this union, it is found that 90 percent of merchants in Soledad and Malambo are paying extortion, in Barranquilla more than 50 business have been closed and cases have increased since the second half of 2019.
“The merchants tell us that they are willing to pay the extortionists monthly up to 70,000 pesos to let them work, that’s not right. But they pay that fee and another criminal organization appears that asks them 20 million and 10 million pesos,” says Jiménez.
Police response
Within the prevention activities, we have carried out 38 sessions, 45 conferences, through the support of the different unions, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Andi, Asaba, Undeco and Asopartes
Precisely this Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police of Barranquilla, through the Gaula, launched in the Barranquillita sector of the city center, the QR code strategy for merchants to report cases of extortion.
According to the commander of the Atlantic Gaula, Major Diego Molina 249 extortionists have been captured and every two days there is an arrest in the metropolitan area of the city for this crime.
“Within the prevention activities, we have carried out 38 sessions, 45 conferences, through the support of the different unions, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Andi, Asaba, Undeco and Asopartes. We invite citizens to report by line 165 or our QR code, “said Major Molina.
In a balance delivered by the Barranquilla Mayor’s Office and the Metropolitan Police, they indicated that, of each 100 extortions that have been presented in the capital of the Atlantic, especially against merchants, 96 have been clarified.
Based on the investigations, the authorities have carried out 65 raids, which have not only allowed the resolution of the cases but also dismantled gangs, captured those involved and seized firearms.
“Since 2021 there have been 27 big operations that have affected criminal groups with the capture or neutralization of their leaders,” said the commander of the Barranquilla Metropolitan Police, General Luis Hernández.
BARRANQUILLA
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