At least 72 soldiers have been detained in the guerrilla-controlled Cauca department of southwestern Colombia, a significant locus of global coca production, according to military officials. This incident occurred in the afternoon, as reported by a military source to AFP, though additional details surrounding the incident remain scarce.
In regions dominated by armed groups, it is not uncommon for Colombian soldiers and police officers to face detainment. This pattern was highlighted in late August when 33 soldiers were held captive for three days in a community in the southeastern Amazon, which is known for its association with leftist guerrillas.
The recent hostage situation reportedly unfolded during military operations in the Micay canyon, an area notorious for coca cultivation and under the influence of a renegade faction of the disbanded FARC guerrilla group, identified as the Central General Staff. According to government statements, these detentions are frequently orchestrated by local residents following orders from armed organizations, particularly in regions where the state’s presence is minimal.
Colombia has been grappling with increasing violence from dissident factions that have rejected a peace agreement established in 2016 with the FARC, following over sixty years of ongoing insurgency.
