Military Offensive Targets FARC Dissidents in Colombia

BOGOTÁ (AP) — A leader of a faction from the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and three of his subordinates were killed in one of the early military offensives by the government of Abelardo de la Espriella, reported on Sunday.

The individual, known by the aliases “Ruso” or “Alemán”, led the “Estructura 28” and died during an operation in a rural area of the Meta department, located in central Colombia. This was confirmed by De la Espriella through a video shared on social media.

The president described it as a significant victory because the target was an explosives expert responsible for actions against rival dissident groups. These groups vie for territory to continue their illegal activities.

This faction forms part of an illicit structure under the command of alias “Iván Mordisco,” one of Colombia’s most wanted men. De la Espriella called on him to surrender or face severe consequences.

The announcement was made just two days after De la Espriella assumed office and less than 24 hours following a violent day in the country. This day included an explosive attack that destroyed a toll booth on a busy road in the southwest, causing minor injuries to two soldiers.

In another military operation in Antioquia, in northwestern Colombia, the army killed two members of a Clan del Golfo faction, accused of murdering four soldiers in 2024. The president added that four more members were detained during the operation.

“There will be no truce for criminals, and we will hunt them down,” De la Espriella declared. His conservative-leaning administration plans to intensify military pressure against organized crime. This approach marks a substantial shift from his predecessor Gustavo Petro’s policy, which focused on controversial peace talks.