WEB DESK: A clash between rival leftist rebel groups in Colombia’s Amazon has left 27 dead, the groups split from the FARC guerrilla force after its 2016 peace accord and are now battling for control over drug trafficking, illegal mining, and extortion in the Guaviare region.
The fighting involved factions led by Ivan Mordisco, Colombia’s most wanted, and another leader known as Calarca. Preliminary reports suggest heavy casualties, with footage showing over 20 bodies in combat gear along a dirt road.
Mordisco abandoned peace talks with President Gustavo Petro’s government in 2024 and increased attacks on civilians and security forces. Calarca’s group has also pursued sporadic negotiations. With elections approaching, Petro, accused of leniency by opponents, has intensified efforts against rebels. A November operation killed 19 Mordisco fighters.
Petro has compared Mordisco to the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar and recently confronted US tensions over Venezuela. Despite past disputes, Petro and US officials agreed last week to cooperate against narcotics trafficking in Colombia, the world’s top cocaine producer.
