Colombian Authorities Rescue 57 Soldiers Held by FARC Dissidents in Cauca Region
Colombian soldiers. X/ @enmayuscula507
June 24, 2025 Hour: 9:52 am
Since 2024, the Colombian Army has attempted to retake control of El Plateado, the main stronghold of the Carlos PatiƱo group.
On Monday, Colombian authorities rescued military personnel who had been held by communities allegedly coerced by a FARC dissident group in the Micay Canyon region of Cauca department.
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“The 57 soldiers were rescued in an operation coordinated by Army and Police troops. More than 20 people have been captured in the act for kidnapping,” said Interior Minister Armando Benedetti.
The Armyās Third Division added that troop pressure led to “the capture in the act of the alleged kidnappers,” though no further details about the incident were provided.
“The constitutional order, governance, and legitimacy must be protected to uphold the rule of law and ensure social investment reaches the people of Micay Canyon,” Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez stated.
On Sunday, Colombian authorities confirmed that military members had been “deprived of their liberty” in the Micay Canyon area. The first incident occurred Saturday in a rural zone of El Tambo municipality, where troops were ambushed and four were detained by civilians.
Later, on Sunday afternoon, “during a movement toward the urban area of El Plateado district, another group of soldiers was intercepted and surrounded by approximately 200 people who were allegedly pressured by the residual organized armed group Carlos PatiƱo,” a faction of the Central General Staff (EMC), the largest FARC dissident group.
As a result, the defense and interior ministers, along with military and police leadership, traveled to Popayan, the capital of Cauca, to oversee an emergency security meeting and assess progress in freeing the troops.
In October 2024, the Colombian Army launched “Operation Perseus,” deploying over 1,000 soldiers to retake control of El Plateado, the main stronghold of the Carlos PatiƱo group. However, the military operation has not achieved the expected results, and dissidents continue to control the area.
In March, 28 police officers and one soldier were kidnapped in El Plateado while helping repel an attack by local residents against the Army. The assailants also set fire to two official vehicles. They were released two days after being detained, with the minister attributing the incident to the Carlos PatiƱo group.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE