Al Jazeera

Colombias army says 57 soldiers kidnapped in restive southwest

BBC News

Colombia says 57 soldiers kidnapped by civilians

Reuters

Colombian army says 57 soldiers kidnapped by civilians under pressure from FARC

The Rio Times

Colombian Soldiers Kidnapped in Drug Region as Armed Groups Pressure Locals

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Economist

Colombia’s president had a bold peace plan. It is not working

Justice For Colombia

Colombia’s ‘Total Peace’ is achieving slow but steady progress - justice for colombia

Foreign Policy

Can Colombia’s President Achieve ‘Total Peace’?

57 Soldiers Rescued After Being Kidnapped Southwest Colombia 2025 06 23

<span>The kidnappings occurred in El Tambo municipality and near El Plateado town in Cauca department, a mountainous area that serves as a key zone for cocaine production and transportation to Pacific ports for international drug trafficking.</span

The kidnappings occurred in El Tambo municipality and near El Plateado town in Cauca department, a mountainous area that serves as a key zone for cocaine production and transportation to Pacific ports for international drug trafficking.

<span>Military commanders stated that the civilians were acting under pressure from the Central General Staff (EMC), the main dissident faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that rejected the 2016 peace agreement with the government.</span

Military commanders stated that the civilians were acting under pressure from the Central General Staff (EMC), the main dissident faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that rejected the 2016 peace agreement with the government.

<span>General Erik Rodriguez explained that the incident was triggered by the arrest of a suspected EMC rebel on Saturday, after which soldiers preparing to airlift the suspect were surrounded by more than 100 people, followed by a second unit being seized the next day.</span

General Erik Rodriguez explained that the incident was triggered by the arrest of a suspected EMC rebel on Saturday, after which soldiers preparing to airlift the suspect were surrounded by more than 100 people, followed by a second unit being seized the next day.

<span>The Micay Canyon region is estimated to have over 90% of its inhabitants dependent on coca bush cultivation for their livelihood, making the military presence a direct threat to the illegal cocaine trade that flourishes in the area.</span

The Micay Canyon region is estimated to have over 90% of its inhabitants dependent on coca bush cultivation for their livelihood, making the military presence a direct threat to the illegal cocaine trade that flourishes in the area.

<span>President Gustavo Petro's administration has been attempting to gain military access to the Micay Canyon as part of his "total peace" strategy, but peace talks with the FARC-EMC faction broke down last year following attacks on Indigenous communities.</span

Anadolu Ajansı

President Gustavo Petro's administration has been attempting to gain military access to the Micay Canyon as part of his "total peace" strategy, but peace talks with the FARC-EMC faction broke down last year following attacks on Indigenous communities.

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<span>Colombia: Civilians Capture 57 Soldiers in Restive Coca Zone</span>

Colombia: Civilians Capture 57 Soldiers in Restive Coca Zone

Armed conflict

Colombia

Kidnapping & hostages

Violence & assaults

Drug abuse & traffic

This incident highlights the failure of militaristic approaches and demonstrates why dialogue-based peace processes remain essential for addressing Colombia's structural violence. The Total Peace Bill offers the most viable path toward permanent peace by tackling root causes of conflict including poverty, inequality, and state abandonment of rural regions.

<span>This incident highlights the failure of militaristic approaches and demonstrates why dialogue-based peace processes remain essential for addressing Colombia's structural violence. The Total Peace Bill offers the most viable path toward permanent peace by tackling root causes of conflict including poverty, inequality, and state abandonment of rural regions.</span>

57 Colombian Soldiers Kidnapped by Civilians in Drug Region

57 Colombian Soldiers Kidnapped by Civilians in Drug Region

Colombia:57 CiviliansColombian CaptureSoldiers 57Kidnapped Soldiersby Civilians in RestiveDrug Coca ZoneRegion

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57 Colombian Soldiers Kidnapped by Civilians in Drug Region

Colombia:57 CiviliansColombian CaptureSoldiers 57Kidnapped Soldiersby Civilians in RestiveDrug Coca ZoneRegion

The Spin

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