At least 16 FARC guerrillas have been neutralized during military operations over the past few days, authorities said Tuesday.
Various military operations on Monday and Tuesday resulted in at least 13 dead guerrillas, 10 captured (three of which were hurt) and three others demobilized from pressure by the troops.
The largest of the operations occurred in the jungles of the central Meta department Monday morning when forces killed ten guerrillas of the FARC’s 7th Front and captured another four, among which was the third leader of the structure, alias “Fredy Cooper.” The structure had been responsible for providing security to the ringleader of the group, alias “El Medico,” and has been accused of burning various vehicles. Three other rebels demobilized during the operations of the last 72 hours.
In another military operation, two guerrillas were killed and two were captured from one of the FARC’s mobile structures in the southern Caqueta department.
According to Caracol Radio, police also bombed a “mother” camp of the FARC’s 33rd Front Tuesday in Catatumbo of the northern Norte de Santander department, leaving various guerrilla rebels dead including a presumed ringleader of the illegal organization.
During these operations authorities also seized abundant war and explosive materials.
Minister of Defense Juan Carlos Pinzon said Monday that the Armed Forces would maintain their offensive attitude in the country against any terrorist groups, criminals and drug traffickers.
“Seeing as Colombian armed groups continue insisting on terrorism or acting against the Colombian people, the public force will continue fighting without rest against any organization that attacks the interests of Colombians,” said Pinzon.