Overview

• Colombia’s military said the last 45 soldiers were retrieved from El Tambo in Micay Canyon without incident and returned safe and sound.
• Authorities reported that roughly 600 civilians had blocked a patrol in the rebel-influenced corridor, initially detaining 72 troops as part of an anti-narcotics operation.
• President Gustavo Petro confirmed that all personnel held by civilians were released and urged residents in coca and illicit gold zones to reject mafia orders.
• The government links these collective detentions to pressure from FARC dissident factions that operate in coca-producing regions with limited state presence.
• It was the second such episode in less than a month, following the brief detention and release of 33 soldiers in Guaviare in August.