Colombia's military has confirmed that 57 soldiers were kidnapped over the weekend in the volatile Micay Canyon region, a strategic corridor for cocaine production and trafficking in the country's southwest.
According to military officials, the abductions occurred in two waves – 31 soldiers were initially seized on Saturday, followed by 26 more on Sunday. The troops were reportedly surrounded and detained by a group of more than 200 civilians acting under pressure from dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which rejected the 2016 peace agreement with the government.
Brigadier General Federico Alberto Mejía addressed the situation in a video statement posted to social media, stating firmly, "This is called kidnapping." He confirmed that among those taken were four non-commissioned officers and 53 enlisted soldiers.
Rebel Group Suspected Behind Abductions
Local media reports suggest the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), the largest breakaway group from the former FARC guerrilla movement, orchestrated the abductions. The group has not issued any comment as of press time.
The Micay Canyon, where the kidnappings took place, is known for its mountainous terrain and limited state presence, making it a hotbed for illicit activity and violent conflict between rebel groups and the Colombian military. The area serves as a crucial corridor for transporting cocaine from processing zones to Colombia's Pacific coast, where it is smuggled by sea to international markets.
This latest incident highlights the fragile security situation in rural Colombia, despite ongoing efforts by President Gustavo Petro's administration to negotiate with remaining armed groups and integrate former rebels into civilian life.
The kidnappings come amid a complex backdrop of Colombia's decades-long struggle with armed groups, drug trafficking, and attempts at peace-building following the historic 2016 agreement with the main FARC organization.
Stay updated on this developing story and more by following BenriNews on our social media channels:
