Bogota, October 12:
Four suspected rebels, including a teenager, have been killed in an airstrike by government forces in Colombia, the defense minister said on Monday.
This is the fourth airstrike ordered by President Abelardo de la Esperanza since he took office in August. It is reported that 46 suspected rebels, including seven minors, have been killed during this period.
The attack, which took place early Sunday morning, targeted a camp of the disbanded rebel group ‘FARC’ (FARC) in the northeastern Catatumbo region, which borders Venezuela.
In a video released by local media, Defense Minister Jorge Mora said that three men and a 16-year-old girl were killed. He condemned the armed group’s recruitment of minors.
Human rights groups have expressed concern that armed groups are increasingly recruiting children and adolescents through attractive campaigns on social media.
According to Mora, three soldiers were also seriously injured in the attack in an area where landmines were planted.
Colombia, one of the world’s leading cocaine producers, is facing its worst violence in a decade. Since taking office, President de la Esperanza has stepped up airstrikes and ground military operations against armed groups. Meanwhile, Colombia has also joined the “Shield of the Americas” coalition. This coalition, promoted by US President Donald Trump, includes Latin American countries including Argentina, Ecuador and El Salvador. Its aim is to cooperate against drug trafficking groups and cartels. (RSS/AFP)
