Colombia: 20 guerrillas killed in bombings ordered by new government

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said on Monday, August 31, that 20 guerrillas were killed in Colombia in bombings ordered by his new government on areas controlled by insurgents. In a video on X, he said: 'We have neutralized 20 narcoterrorists, captured five (...) and recovered two minors.' The operation targeted guerrillas under the command of the country's most-wanted rebel, Iván Mordisco, and took place at dawn in Guaviare, in the south. These are the deadliest bombings since de la Espriella took office on August 7. The hard-right leader has promised an unrelenting fight against criminal groups that finance themselves through drug trafficking, extortion, and illegal mining. A military source told AFP these are the third bombings of the new government, with the highest toll since the era of Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2018). Four minors were killed in the first two waves, two aged 15 and two aged 16. It is unknown if minors are among the victims of the third wave. De la Espriella also said: 'We are on your trail, Mordisco (...) I will make you pay for all the harm you have done to Colombia.' He wants to strengthen cooperation with the United States and Israel in the fight against organized crime.