In the mountainous Micay Canyon of Colombia's southwestern region, a shocking incident has unfolded as 57 soldiers were seized by local civilians. According to the military, 31 soldiers were kidnapped on Saturday, followed by the abduction of additional soldiers on Sunday by a group exceeding 200 individuals. The military asserts that these civilians are influenced by dissidents from the Farc rebel group, which previously reached a peace agreement with the government in 2016.
The Micay Canyon, notorious for its cocaine production, remains a hotspot for the ongoing conflict with rebel factions. Brig Gen Federico Alberto Mejía labeled the situation as "kidnapping" in a video statement. Media reports suggest that the EMC rebel group, an offshoot of Farc, may be behind these actions. This escalation followed the arrest of a suspected EMC member, which provoked locals to surround the military personnel.
General Erik Rodríguez revealed that negotiations are underway for the soldiers' release, who are currently held together in one location. With the area heavily reliant on coca cultivation for income, the military's presence is seen as a direct threat to the illegal drug trade. President Gustavo Petro's government continues to navigate complex peace talks with the EMC, though internal conflicts among rebels have complicated the situation further, leading to criminal activities including extortion and trafficking.
The Micay Canyon, notorious for its cocaine production, remains a hotspot for the ongoing conflict with rebel factions. Brig Gen Federico Alberto Mejía labeled the situation as "kidnapping" in a video statement. Media reports suggest that the EMC rebel group, an offshoot of Farc, may be behind these actions. This escalation followed the arrest of a suspected EMC member, which provoked locals to surround the military personnel.
General Erik Rodríguez revealed that negotiations are underway for the soldiers' release, who are currently held together in one location. With the area heavily reliant on coca cultivation for income, the military's presence is seen as a direct threat to the illegal drug trade. President Gustavo Petro's government continues to navigate complex peace talks with the EMC, though internal conflicts among rebels have complicated the situation further, leading to criminal activities including extortion and trafficking.
