FARC dissidents kidnap 34 soldiers in jungle terrain controlled by guerrilla groups in southern Colombia. The troops encountered “individuals dressed in civilian clothes” after hours of fighting that left ten people dead, Colombia’s defence minister, Pedro Sanchez, said on Tuesday. He added that guerrilla fire even hit two state aircraft during the battle. The incident unfolded in Guaviare province, a long-time stronghold for dissident units.
Retaliation Linked to Raids on Leaders
Authorities believe the seizure forms part of a broader retaliation campaign after a recent military operation killed a high-ranking FARC dissident leader. In this context, FARC dissidents kidnap 34 soldiers to signal strength and to undermine government advances in the region.
Guerrilla control and civilian shields
On the ground, guerrilla groups often mobilise residents to confront patrols, creating standoffs that soldiers avoid escalating for fear of harming unarmed civilians. As a result, dissidents can detain personnel without firing a shot. In many previous cases, guerrillas released troops unharmed after several days, but the mass capture still embarrasses the security forces and slows operations.
Mordisco’s faction and recent attacks
Sanchez blamed the faction that split from the FARC after the 2016 peace deal and now follows Ivan Mordisco, Colombia’s most-wanted man. Officials also tie the same network to a recent bomb attack in Cali that killed six civilians, underscoring the dissidents’ reach beyond remote jungle fronts.
What Comes Next
The military faces pressure to recover the soldiers while avoiding civilian casualties. Meanwhile, markets and communities watch closely as security forces weigh rescue risks against negotiation channels common in the south. For now, the headline remains stark: FARC dissidents kidnap 34 soldiers, exposing how fragile state control remains in parts of the Amazon corridor.
