FARC Dissidents Kidnap 29 Colombian Security Personnel in Cauca

In a significant escalation of violence, 29 members of Colombia's security forces were kidnapped by dissident factions of the FARC in the Cauca province, specifically in El Plateado and La Hacienda. The Colombian Ministry of Defense attributed the abduction to the Carlos Patino faction, which has rejected the 2016 peace agreement. This incident is part of a broader trend of violence linked to the contest for control over coca-growing regions, with the EMC faction of FARC actively engaging in hostilities against state forces. Both civilians and armed groups were reportedly involved in the attacks, which have been condemned by the government as war crimes violating human rights laws. The Colombian government is undertaking efforts to identify the perpetrators, who face severe legal consequences. President Gustavo Petro described this violence as an act of desperation from the EMC, highlighting the ongoing turmoil in regions historically dominated by drug trafficking.