The 66 soldiers who were held for three days by peasants In Guaviare they were released this Monday, August 12, according to the information the Colombian Ministry of Defense on social media.
“The 66 uniformed officers who remained kidnapped for more than 72 hours in the rural area of San José del Guaviare, by communities instrumentalized by the Jorge Suárez Briceño block, were released“, the institution confirmed on Monday on its account on the social network X.
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According to the Government, Community members were influenced by the armed bloc to retain the military.
On Sunday, August 11, Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez He warned the armed rebels that “if there is no real commitment” the extension of the ceasefire agreed with the current government until October 15 could be suspended.
The uniformed men remained surrounded by around 650 peasants in the rural area of San José del Guaviare, capital of Guaviare, said Mayor Willy Rodriguez on the radio station Caracol Radio.
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Army.
Truce in suspense
The Army said troops were in the area conducting an operation against extortion.
The military “will continue to fulfill its constitutional mission,” said a statement released by the Army on Monday after the release. “Offensive actions against criminality will continue,” the bulletin added.
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Mayor Rodriguez said that on Sunday he visited the area and observed the uniformed officers with their weapons. According to his account, The peasants prevented the soldiers from mobilizing to avoid a “confrontation” with dissidents.
The guerrilla group, which refused to sign the 2016 peace agreement, is now negotiating with the government of President Gustavo Petro, which is trying to defuse the six-decade conflict by engaging in dialogue with guerrillas and armed drug trafficking groups.
In conflict-ridden regions, such as the department of Guaviare, the security forces often clash with farmers, especially when they eradicate drug crops.
In April, 34 uniformed officers were detained and later released by a community in the department of Meta.
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A year ago, a protest against the company Emerald Energy ended with the kidnapping of more than 70 riot police and six employees of the oil company in San Vicente del Caguán (south). One of the officers was allegedly killed by having his throat slit.
In 2016, The Colombian state signed a peace agreement with the extinct FARC, but several factions of the group withdrew from the pact.
The long conflict has left 9.5 million victims, including those kidnapped, missing, displaced and murdered.
AFP
