Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Javier Garcia Nieto was killed this morning in Puerto Asis by an exploding mine planted by the FARC, according to a press release from the Colombian Army. Garcia Nieto was the commander of the 27th Engineer Battalion.
Two other soldiers who were a part of Garcia Nieto’s escort were injured in the attack which took place this morning at approximately 9:40 a.m. in the department of Putumayo. They are currently in the hospital.
President Juan Manuel Santos has condemend the act and has expressed his condolences to the soldier’s family.
“We will work tirelessly to end this conflict and so that parents don’t have to bury their children,” Santos said.
The president has been in contact with senior military commanders to request they work to find the responsible parties. The army has condemend the killing as an act of terrorism and a violation of human rights.