Colombian Army Rescues 27 Soldiers, 45 Still Held by Rebels

Colombian authorities have freed 27 soldiers out of 72 who were taken captive in the country’s southwest, leaving 45 still in the hands of armed groups in a region dominated by drug production and rebel activity.

The incident occurred in the Micay Canyon, Cauca Department, an area controlled by a dissident faction of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), known as the Central General Staff. The group, which has been carrying out attacks on military positions, is also active in drug trafficking and illegal mining.

According to the army, the soldiers were on a military operation when about 600 people blocked their movement in San Juan de Micay. The confrontation led to their capture. Security forces remain deployed in the area to reestablish control and secure the release of those still being held.

The episode highlights the difficulties Colombia continues to face in rural zones where the state has limited presence and armed groups battle for influence over lucrative coca-growing regions. Despite the 2016 peace accord with FARC, dissident factions have remained active and confrontations with the military have persisted.

This is the second such incident in less than a month. In August, 33 soldiers were seized in Guaviare Department following clashes with a rebel faction but were released four days later.

President Gustavo Petro has launched military operations to regain control of these territories, but progress has been slowed by strong local resistance and the entrenched presence of armed groups.

Written by Adeyemi Adewale