Clashes between armed groups in Colombia kill at least 52
Rival groups are vying for territorial control of strategic cocaine production and trafficking region
TL;DR
- At least 52 guerrilla fighters killed in clashes between two rival Farc factions in south-east Colombia.
- The fighting took place in the Guaviare department, a strategic region for cocaine production and trafficking.
- The factions are led by Iván Mordisco (Néstor Gregorio Vera) and Calarcá Córdoba (Alexander Díaz Mendoza), both of whom rejected the 2016 peace agreement.
- The government has deployed troops to protect civilians, and the army confirmed fighting without releasing death toll figures.
- One Farc dissident group announced a suspension of military operations against public forces, but not against other armed groups.