Panama says that three suspected FARC guerrillas were killed Wednesday in a clash with the country’s police.
According to a statement by Panama’s Ministry of Government and Justice, the conflict took place during a police patrol of the regions of Balsal, Boca de Paya and Sobiaquiru en el Alto Tuira, close to the Colombian border.
The shoot-out took place after six people traveling down the River Tuira, armed with rifles, responded with shots to the raised voices of the Panamanian border police.
“In total three suspected guerrillas have died, who we are assuming belong to the FARC’s 57th Front, one of whom is thought to be a ringleader within the Colombian guerrilla organization,” the Panamanian government stated.
Two other suspected insurgents were captured during the altercation and will be turned over to the appropriate authorities, while another is said to have fled.
No members of the border police were injured in the confrontation.