Colombia's military revealed that on Saturday, 31 soldiers were taken, while a larger group of civilians abducted the rest the following day. This part of the country is a known hub for coca cultivation, and the military has been actively working to disrupt the illicit drug trade. According to Brigadier General Federico Alberto Mejía, the situation is dire as negotiations for the soldiers' release are currently ongoing. General Erik Rodríguez implicated the local civilians in this act of aggression, citing the military presence as an obstruction to their illegal activities. President Gustavo Petro's government has been in talks with rebel factions like EMC, but recent events underscore the volatility of this ongoing conflict.
Colombia Soldiers Abducted by Locals Amid Ongoing Conflict
Colombia Soldiers Abducted by Locals Amid Ongoing Conflict
Dozens of Colombian soldiers have been kidnapped by civilians in a notable escalation of local tensions, influenced by rebel groups.
In a worrying turn of events, 57 soldiers have been seized by locals in the southwestern Micay Canyon area of Colombia, with military officials deeming the mass abduction as a clear case of kidnapping. The incident follows the arrest of a suspected member of the EMC rebel group, a faction stemming from the Farc, notorious for their involvement in the cocaine trade and ongoing conflict in the region.
