Colombia says at least 23 FARC dissidents killed in operation

Army operation ‘forcefully dismantles’ FARC dissident construction, Colombian defence minister says.

Colombian navy troopers patrol the Arauca River, the nation's pure border with Venezuela, March 26, 2021 [File: Fernando Vergara/AP Photo]

At the least 23 dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) insurgent group had been killed throughout an operation by the Colombian armed forces alongside the Venezuelan border, the defence ministry stated.

The dissidents “died throughout navy operations” carried out within the northern border division of Arauca, a narcotrafficking hall that has seen fierce combating between armed teams because the starting of the yr, a supply within the ministry informed the AFP information company on Thursday.

Among the many lifeless was a former FARC chief often known as “Arturo”.

5 dissidents had been moreover injured, the supply stated.

“This operation forcefully dismantles the FARC dissident construction,” Colombian defence minister Diego Molano stated in a video revealed on social media.

Colombia signed a peace settlement in 2016 with the FARC to finish a decades-long battle, however some dissident members of the group have chosen to not recognise it.

The defence minister stated Arturo “took refuge in Venezuela and from there sought to reactivate the dissident teams to proceed committing crimes”.

Former FARC dissidents, in addition to members of Colombia’s final lively guerilla group often known as the ELN, have arrange bases in Venezuela, the place Colombian authorities say they obtain authorities backing – an accusation Caracas denies.

One other insurgent group chief often known as “Ernesto” was additionally killed within the operation.

Final month, President Ivan Duque introduced the “neutralisation” of the insurgent group chief often known as “Jhonier”, whereas in October of final yr the alleged drug kingpin often known as “Otoniel” was captured.

He's now awaiting extradition to america, the place he was charged in 2015 – amongst different alleged Colombian drug traffickers – of conspiring to distribute cocaine, “understanding that it could be imported into america”.

In January, combating between insurgent teams close to the Venezuelan border left at the very least 23 folks lifeless. The teams had been combating over management of unlawful economies equivalent to drug trafficking, Colombia’s military stated on the time.