Colombian soldiers kidnapped during conflicts with insurgents

• 34 soldiers were kidnapped as a result of the conflict with the insurgents.
• The government proposes a reward for information about the kidnappers.
• The situation in Guaviare is worsening due to the fighting between groups.

The government of Colombia confirmed that 34 soldiers, who were participating in military operations against the insurgents, were kidnapped in the rural locality of El Retorno, in the province of Guaviare. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the soldiers are being held under the control of civilian individuals who are acting on the orders of the insurgent group, which excludes the possibility of legal detention.

The kidnapping occurred after a clash with a faction of FARC, which remains in opposition. During the fight, ten members of this group were killed. After this, local residents reported the soldiers' exit, indicating that this is a humanitarian corridor. However, military representatives assert that this is merely a way to bypass military operations.

According to Admiral Francisco Cubides, commander of the armed forces, the government is trying to ensure the release of the soldiers and has already announced a reward of $5,000 for information about the commanders of the insurgents who organized the kidnapping. The authorities have also contacted the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Organization of American States to assist in resolving the situation.

This incident has become part of a broader security crisis in the region, where various criminal groups are vying for control, including the FARC faction. In recent months, the situation in Guaviare has significantly worsened due to armed clashes between the insurgent groups, which have led to mass kidnappings and the murders of local leaders.

Tags: Politics/Crime