Operation Foundation

Overview: In June 2024, the Prosecutor's Office in Bucaramanga requested support for "Operation Foundation," an initiative to combat egregious human rights violations occurring in rehabilitation centers across Bucaramanga, Colombia. The operation culminated on October 22, 2024, in a joint effort between the Technical Investigation Body (CTI) of the Prosecutor's Office and the Colombian National Army. This large-scale intervention revealed widespread abuse, exploitation, and criminal activity.

Key Outcomes

• Arrests and Raids:

  • 21 individuals arrested for their roles in crimes within eight rehabilitation centers.

  • 16 coordinated raids were conducted across multiple locations.

• Victim Rescue:

  • 200 victims freed, including 19 women, 1 minor female, 178 men, and 2 minor males.

  • Victims endured sexual abuse, physical torture, psychological trauma, forced drug use, and were exploited for prostitution and labor.

• Discovery of Secret Sites:

  • A hidden room at the "Fundación del Terror" contained elderly individuals in inhumane conditions.

  • A torture room with bloodstained walls and handcuffs was uncovered, used for brutal punishments.

• Confirmed Deaths:

  • Evidence links at least eight deaths to these centers, including violent deaths and untreated medical issues.

Detailed Findings

1. Criminal Acts:

   • Sexual and Physical Abuse: Female victims were raped, drugged, and prostituted, while others were physically restrained and beaten.

   • Kidnapping and Forced Confinement: Some Addicts were abducted from the streets and transferred between locations without their knowledge. Other victims’ Families were misled into paying $280 per month for what they believed was legitimate rehabilitation.

   • Forced Drug Use: Victims were intentionally drugged to ensure compliance.

2. Conditions:

   • Inhumane Living Standards:

     • Overcrowded and unsanitary facilities, with reports of overwhelming odors and infestations of large rats.

   • Psychological Abuse: Victims lived in constant fear, despair, and confusion, subjected to systematic mental torment.

3. Operational Challenges:

   • Massive Coordination Effort: Involved over 150 public order personnel, 30 vehicles, and the execution of 30 arrest warrants.

   • Logistics: Ensuring the safety and care of 200 victims required meticulous planning, from extraction to on-site evidence management.

   • Risks: Armed traffickers and potential traps increased the peril for rescuers.

Aftermath and Implications

1. Victim Support:

   • Immediate provision of food, water, medical care, and psychological aid.

   • Long-term care is required for reintegration and rehabilitation, straining existing resources.

2. Investigative Follow-Up:

   • Evidence collection to ensure legal accountability for perpetrators.

   • Continued monitoring to prevent the resurgence of similar operations.

Impact and Reflections

The emotional and psychological toll of the operation was palpable. Rescuers reported the haunting emptiness in the victims' eyes, a stark reminder of the inhumanity they endured. The stench of confinement, mingled with the hollow silence of despair, underscored the gravity of the situation.

This operation revealed the urgent need for systemic reform, not only to prosecute those responsible but also to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable individuals under the guise of rehabilitation. The resilience of the victims and the dedication of the rescuers shine as a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for recovery and justice.

Conclusion: Operation Foundation exposed and dismantled a network of horrific abuse within Bucaramanga's rehabilitation centers. While the arrests and rescues mark significant progress, the scars left behind call for continued vigilance, support, and systemic change to protect the vulnerable and ensure accountability.