Emerging Criminal Groups or BACRIM’s are overrunning mercury mines in Córdoba and Antioquia, President Juan Manuel Santos announced. The mines are contaminated the environment, he added, stating that some children are deformed because of the mercury entering the water supply. The government said that the guerrilla groups, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – FARC) and the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional – ELN), are also involved in the trade. The government’s announcement coincided with raids on the area, and 35 people were arrested.
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