The Colombian military conducted an air strike on a suspected rebel camp in the province of Guaviare, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 individuals. Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez described the operation as a significant action against a prominent criminal entity in Colombia.
Operation Details
The target of the air strike was a dissident faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), known for its involvement in drug trafficking, illegal mining, and extortion. This group is led by a commander identified by the alias Iván Mordisco. Defence Minister Sánchez stated that President Gustavo Petro authorized the strike following information regarding the group's alleged threat to the population and security forces.
During the military operation, security forces also apprehended three individuals and rescued three children who had reportedly been recruited by the group. Reports from rights organizations indicate a rise in the forced recruitment of children by armed groups in Colombia, with some as young as nine being taken or lured.
Political Context and Peace Talks
President Petro, Colombia's first left-wing president, had previously expressed reservations about utilizing air strikes against rebel camps. However, following the collapse of peace negotiations with several armed groups, he approved the recent military offensive. Mordisco's faction was among the groups that initially entered into peace talks with the government as part of Petro's "total peace" initiative. These talks concluded after six months when Mordisco's group withdrew. The government has attributed an explosive attack on a military facility in Cali in August to Mordisco's group. Petro had publicly referred to Mordisco as "a drug trafficker disguised as a revolutionary."
International Relations and Drug Trafficking
The air strike occurs amidst international scrutiny and pressure on Colombia concerning drug trafficking. The Trump administration and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have alleged that President Petro's administration had permitted the expansion of drug cartels, asserting insufficient action to curb this activity. The United States government imposed financial sanctions on President Petro last month.
In response, President Petro has criticized US strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, which he characterized as "murder," and has ordered his government to suspend intelligence sharing with US security agencies. Petro stated that "the fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people," following reports of at least 76 fatalities in such US operations.