Clashes between armed groups in Colombia kill at least 52 | Colombia
At least 52 guerrilla fighters have been killed in clashes between two rival armed groups vying for territorial control of a strategic cocaine production and trafficking region in southeastern Colombia, a faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) said.
The fiercest clashes in recent months took place in the forests of the Guaviare region near the village of Barranco Colorado.
Defense minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed on social media that there were clashes in the region, as did the army, but did not provide details on the death toll. Sanchez said soldiers were sent to the area to protect civilians.
Reuters could not independently verify the 52 deaths reported by the FARC.
The conflict took place between the Farc’s opposition faction led by Néstor Gregorio Vera, better known as Iván Mordisco, and a faction led by Alexander Díaz Mendoza, known as Calarcá Córdoba.
Both rejected a 2016 peace deal that allowed about 13,000 Farc members to lay down their weapons. The guerrilla group led by Díaz Mendoza is participating in peace talks with President Gustavo Petro, but Vera’s group continues to clash with authorities after the government suspended the bilateral ceasefire in 2024.
Last week, the Central General Staff, FARC’s largest opposition group, announced a nationwide suspension of military operations against the country’s public forces between May 20 and June 10.
However, the group did not announce a complete suspension of all military activities; This means that conflicts with other armed groups will not be included in the pause of operations.
Rebels from the National Liberation Army (ELN) also declared a separate ceasefire ahead of weekend elections. The armed conflict, which has lasted more than six decades and is financed primarily by drug trafficking and illegal mining, has left more than 450,000 people dead and millions displaced.
