Colombian security forces kidnapped in Cauca province

Colombia's defence ministry confirmed that 29 members of the country’s security forces were kidnapped in two separate incidents in the Cauca province.

The abductions were carried out by dissidents of the Carlos Patino faction, a group of former FARC rebels who rejected the 2016 peace agreement, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The incidents occurred in the towns of El Plateado and La Hacienda, where security forces have been engaged in an ongoing operation against armed groups for the past month. The ministry stated that the Carlos Patino faction was responsible for the kidnappings.

"The lives and security of the kidnapped members of the security forces are the direct responsibility of those who commit this heinous crime," the ministry said in a statement, condemning the actions of the dissidents.

The kidnapping of the 29 security personnel highlights the ongoing challenges Colombia faces with armed groups, particularly those who refuse to adhere to the peace agreements made with the FARC in 2016. These events underscore the persistent insecurity in regions where such factions continue to operate.

The Colombian government has vowed to do everything in its power to secure the release of the kidnapped officers, while continuing its efforts to combat dissident factions across the country.

By Vafa Guliyeva