At Least 52 Killed in Clashes Between Armed Groups in Colombia

The Story

At least 52 guerrilla fighters were killed in clashes between two rival armed groups in the jungles of Guaviare, Colombia, according to a faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) involved in the fighting. The death toll, reported by the Farc faction, has not been independently verified by Reuters. Colombia’s defence minister confirmed fighting in the area and said troops were deployed to protect civilians.

Key Facts

• At least 52 guerrilla fighters were killed in clashes in the department of Guaviare, near the village of Barranco Colorado.
• The fighting occurred between a dissident Farc faction led by Néstor Gregorio Vera (Iván Mordisco) and one led by Alexander Díaz Mendoza (Calarcá Córdoba).
• Both groups rejected the 2016 peace agreement that allowed about 13,000 Farc members to demobilize.
• The group led by Díaz Mendoza is involved in peace talks with President Gustavo Petro; Vera’s faction is in conflict with authorities after the government suspended a bilateral ceasefire with it in 2024.
• Pedro Sánchez, the defence minister, confirmed the fighting on social media but did not provide a death toll.
• Last week, the Farc’s largest dissident group, the Central General Staff, announced a nationwide suspension of military operations against public forces from 20 May to 10 June, but confrontations with other armed groups were not included.
• Rebels from the National Liberation Army (ELN) also announced a ceasefire ahead of the weekend’s election.
• The armed conflict, lasting more than six decades and financed mainly by drug trafficking and illegal mining, has left over 450,000 dead and millions displaced.

Conflicting Reports

The source article notes that Reuters was unable to independently verify the 52 deaths reported by the Farc faction.

Still Unclear

No open questions identified in the source article.

Misconceptions

No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.

Key Figures

• Pedro Sánchez (Colombia’s defence minister)
• Néstor Gregorio Vera, also known as Iván Mordisco (leader of one dissident Farc faction)
• Alexander Díaz Mendoza, known as Calarcá Córdoba (leader of the other dissident Farc faction)
• President Gustavo Petro

Sources: The Guardian