In a dramatic military operation, 57 Colombian soldiers held captive in the mountains by local residents have been successfully rescued. Colombian Defence Minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced that "Operation Justice" was executed without a single shot being fired. The soldiers were captured in the Cauca region, an area notorious for activities linked to the EMC rebel group, which is heavily involved in cocaine production and trafficking.
The trouble began following the arrest of a suspected EMC member. When soldiers attempted to airlift the suspect, they were encircled by over 100 locals, who had allegedly been instructed by the rebels to seize them. The situation escalated when a second military unit was taken captive the day after.
Unlike earlier incidents where negotiations with humanitarian groups led to swift releases, this time captors refused communication, prompting the military to deploy additional forces to resolve the crisis. The operation resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals associated with the kidnappings.
In regions where coca cultivation supports over 90% of the livelihoods, military presence often elicits pushback from local communities, who view them as threats. Historically, armed groups in Colombia have exploited such dynamics, leading to violent confrontations and instability in the area.
The trouble began following the arrest of a suspected EMC member. When soldiers attempted to airlift the suspect, they were encircled by over 100 locals, who had allegedly been instructed by the rebels to seize them. The situation escalated when a second military unit was taken captive the day after.
Unlike earlier incidents where negotiations with humanitarian groups led to swift releases, this time captors refused communication, prompting the military to deploy additional forces to resolve the crisis. The operation resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals associated with the kidnappings.
In regions where coca cultivation supports over 90% of the livelihoods, military presence often elicits pushback from local communities, who view them as threats. Historically, armed groups in Colombia have exploited such dynamics, leading to violent confrontations and instability in the area.
