Three police officers were killed in a roadside ambush, allegedly perpetrated by Colombia’s largest guerrilla group, the FARC, in the southwest state of Cauca on Thursday.
Cauca |
The attack took place at about 12:15PM when the officers were escorting a convoy of public service vehicles that had been threatened in the past, according to national newspaper El Pais.
According to Cauca Police Chief Colonel Ivan Ramiro Perez, the ambush began with explosives, which later interrupted into gunfire.
In the wake of the assault, allegedly committed by the 8th Front of the FARC’s Movil Jacobo Arenas Column, three police officers were killed, aged 27, 28, and 29.
“It’s a hard fact for the institution, for the families of each of our colleagues, for everyone,” said General Omar Rubiano, commander of the 4th regional police.
Rubiano went on to say that an investigation was underway to find the culprits.
Last April, a similar bombing occurred in Cauca along the Pan-American highway, where no one was injured, but the road was made impassable.
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Despite the latest round of peace talks between the FARC and the Colombian government in Havana, Cuba being well underway, neither side has yet to commit to a bilateral ceasefire.
It was announced yesterday that the deputy commander of Colombia’s armed forces, General Javier Florez, will personally lead a team of four high-ranking officials to discuss a bilateral ceasefire with the FARC as a step towards demobilization and overall peace.
MORE: Deputy commander of Colombia’s armed forces will lead demobilization talks