09.09.2025 09:00
In southwestern Colombia, 45 soldiers returning from an operation were surrounded by a group of 600 people. While this development has caused a significant public outcry, it was reported that the soldiers regained their freedom today. President Gustavo Petro stated, "Air operations will be conducted in the areas where the soldiers were attacked, but civilians will not be harmed."
In a statement from the Colombian army, it was reported that 45 soldiers, who were held captive by a group of approximately 600 people near Los Tigres in the El Tambo area of the Cauca management region, regained their freedom yesterday after an operation.
"WE WILL CLEANSE NATIONAL TERRITORY FROM MAFIAS"
President Gustavo Petro reacted to the groups that kidnapped the soldiers in a post on his account on the US-based social media platform X. Emphasizing that operations will continue in the southwestern region of the country, Petro stated: "Air operations will be conducted in areas where soldiers are attacked, but civilians will not be harmed. The aim is to protect the people from the mafias and to cleanse the country's territory. It is the President's duty to cleanse national territory from mafias."
"CHILDREN OF COLOMBIA MUST EMBRACE EACH OTHER"
Petro addressed the people in the areas where the army is conducting operations against illegal armed groups, saying, "It is time to peacefully change agricultural products. Release the soldiers; they could be your children. The children of Colombia must embrace each other. The dialogue commission is ready; this is the President's promise." Security forces, which have been conducting operations against drug trafficking in the region for a long time, are facing similar incidents.