A Colombian soldier has killed one member of an indigenous community and injured two others in Cauca, southwest Colombia, various local media reported Thursday.
Members of the army were apparently attempting to dismantle a cocaine laboratory in the area on Wednesday morning when indigenous locals resisted and attempted to disrupt the operation. It is alleged that the soldiers then opened fire indiscriminately, killing one member of the local community and wounding two others.
According to senior indigenous advisor Elides Pechene, one of the soldiers was subsequently taken hostage by the community though he is expected to be released at some point later on Thursday.
To date, the army have refused to comment on the situation.
The department of Cauca has seen indigenous communities frequently affected by the conflict between the armed forces and criminal groups in recent months.