The Colombian military announced 39 guerrillas had died and 12 were captured during clashes with security forces in the northern department of Arauca Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to an official military statement, 33 were killed during a bombardment of a guerrilla camp early Wednesday, while others were killed during operations in the area over the past two days.
Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon described the operation as the biggest blow against the FARC in the past five years.
Associated Press reported that five Super Tucano planes were used in the bombardment of the camp, before ground forces moved in to secure the area.
According to General Ernesto Maldonado, the rebels in the camp were not believed to have taken part in an ambush Saturday which left 11 Colombian soldiers dead, but they were members of the FARC’s 10th Front, which is believed to be responsible for the attack.
The figures follow Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos’ announcement earlier Tuesday via Twitter that 24 guerrillas had died and ten were captured. He subsequently confirmed the higher numbers in a statement released on the official website of the Presidential Palace.