In a troubling development for Columbia's ongoing strife with drug cartels and rebel groups, 57 soldiers were abducted in the mountainous area of Micay Canyon this past weekend. The initial 31 soldiers were taken on Saturday, while 26 additional personnel were seized the following day by over 200 civilians, reportedly acting under the influence of dissidents from the Farc rebel group. This notorious faction, which had previously entered into a peace agreement with the Colombian government in 2016, continues to exert significant pressure in various regions.
Brigadier General Federico Alberto Mejia condemned the actions in a recent video statement, asserting that what transpired qualifies as kidnapping. He confirmed that the group included four non-commissioned officers among the soldiers taken. Local reports suggest the involvement of the EMC, the largest offshoot of the Farc, which has remained silent on the matter.
The Micay Canyon is not only a scenic area in Colombia's southwest but also a critical thoroughfare for transporting cocaine to coastal ports, facilitating illegal drug trade operations globally. The ambivalence surrounding the current situation highlights the ongoing struggle within Colombia’s landscape of conflict, as rebel groups continue to assert influence in regions crucial for narcotics operations.
Brigadier General Federico Alberto Mejia condemned the actions in a recent video statement, asserting that what transpired qualifies as kidnapping. He confirmed that the group included four non-commissioned officers among the soldiers taken. Local reports suggest the involvement of the EMC, the largest offshoot of the Farc, which has remained silent on the matter.
The Micay Canyon is not only a scenic area in Colombia's southwest but also a critical thoroughfare for transporting cocaine to coastal ports, facilitating illegal drug trade operations globally. The ambivalence surrounding the current situation highlights the ongoing struggle within Colombia’s landscape of conflict, as rebel groups continue to assert influence in regions crucial for narcotics operations.
