57 Colombian Soldiers Abducted by Civilians Influenced by FARC Rebels in Troubled Cauca Region

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

BOGOTÁ — The Colombian Army has revealed that 57 of its soldiers have been kidnapped by civilians believed to be acting under the influence of dissident FARC factions, in the southwest region of Cauca, a notorious hotspot for drug trafficking and armed conflict.

The soldiers were reportedly surrounded and detained near El Plateado, a mountainous area where dissident guerrillas who rejected the 2016 peace deal still maintain a strong presence. The Colombian military says the civilians involved were pressured or coerced by these armed groups to participate in the abduction.

The Cauca department remains one of Colombia’s most unstable regions, known for its high levels of cocaine production and the continued presence of armed groups, including factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that oppose the peace process.

Although the original FARC leadership signed a peace accord in 2016, splinter groups have refused to disarm, instead engaging in violence, extortion, and control of narcotics routes.

Military officials have not confirmed whether negotiations are underway for the soldiers’ release, nor have they reported any injuries so far. The Colombian Ministry of Defense is currently assessing the situation and is expected to release further details soon.

The incident has raised serious concerns about the resurgence of guerrilla-style tactics in the post-conflict era. Human rights organizations and foreign observers are urging the Colombian government to intensify protection efforts in vulnerable regions and to reaffirm its commitment to the 2016 peace accord.

As of Sunday night, military reinforcements had been dispatched to the area to stabilize the situation and search for the kidnapped personnel.

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