Seven FARC Dissidents Killed in Colombian Military Operation in Nariño

Seven members of the Franco Benavides front, part of the Estado Mayor Central FARC dissidents, were killed during military operations in El Peñol, Nariño. Five additional individuals were captured and twelve others were wounded during the engagement. Colombian authorities recovered one body and seized an arsenal including an M4 rifle, a pistol, eight handmade grenades, and 946 cartridges of various calibers. Other seized items included five banners of the criminal structure and three notebooks containing information of interest to authorities. In a related effort, the military identified five cocaine base paste laboratories and seized over 1,000 gallons of liquid supplies and 175 kilograms of solid supplies. Authorities also confiscated 6,000 milliliters of ketamine, 600 milliliters of fentanyl, and intervened in seven production units and seven dredges used for illegal mining. President Abelardo de la Espriella stated that since his term began on August 7, his government has achieved 14,914 captures, the seizure of 49,379 kilograms of narcotics, the removal of 1,485 firearms, and the eradication of 1,320.9 hectares of coca. One source noted that the president's promise of a hard line against criminals has led to recent bombings, including an August operation in Guaviare where ten dissidents were killed, three of whom were minors aged 15 and 16.