Alleged members of Colombia’s largest rebel group FARC attacked a group of coca eradicators and escorting military troops in the western Choco department. At least two eradicators were killed and fourteen are still missing, local media report.
Local ombudsman Tatiana Valencia told Caracol Radio that the group were part of a coca eradication unit on its way to eradicate crops when they attacked by alleged members of the guerrillas’ 34th front.
According to the ombudsman, the attack left two of the eradicators dead and wounded two others. Between twelve and fourteen of them are still missing.
The army has started an operation to try to find the missing and regain control over the area.
Choco is one of Colombia’s departments where both left-wing guerrillas and right-wing paramilitary groups are highly active and there is a lot of cultivating of coca and trafficking of illicit drugs.