Colombian military authorities have confirmed that 57 soldiers were kidnapped by civilians in the southwestern region of Micay Canyon. According to reports, 31 soldiers were taken on Saturday, and the remaining 26 were abducted on Sunday by a group of more than 200 people.
The military claims that the civilians were acting under pressure from dissidents of the Farc rebel group, which signed a peace agreement with the government in 2016. This mountainous region, known for its cocaine production, remains one of the most high-tension areas in the ongoing conflict with rebel groups.
In a video statement on social media, Brig Gen Federico Alberto Mejia stated that four non-commissioned officers and 53 soldiers were seized over the weekend. He referred to this as a kidnapping. Local media reports suggest that the EMC rebel group, the largest offshoot of the Farc, may have been responsible for the kidnappings.
The EMC has not commented on the matter. The Micay Canyon serves as a transportation route for cocaine to Pacific ports, where it is then illicitly shipped to other countries.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gdlrk1pzko
