Colombian Military Targets Rebel Camp, Leaving 19 Dead in Air Strike

At least 19 people have been killed in an air strike on a suspected rebel camp in the Colombian province of Guaviare, according to the country's military. The attack targeted a dissident faction of the Farc rebel group, which engages in drug trafficking. The air strike occurred on an unspecified date, with Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez stating that President Gustavo Petro had authorised the operation after learning of the "imminent threat the group posed to the population and the security forces". Sánchez described the air strike as a blow to "one of Colombia's most dangerous criminals", referring to a commander known by the alias of a dissident group leader. The Colombian military reported that the air strike was carried out in response to the group's alleged involvement in drug trafficking and attacks on security forces. President Petro had previously been reluctant to use air strikes to hit rebel camps, but following the breakdown of peace talks with several of Colombia's armed groups, he gave the green light for the military offensive. The air strike has sparked concerns about the escalation of violence in the region. The Trump administration had accused President Petro of allowing the drugs trade to expand, which the Colombian president has denied. The Colombian government has not commented on the allegations. The Farc rebel group, which was once one of Colombia's largest and most powerful guerrilla groups, signed a peace deal with the government in 2016. However, several dissident factions have continued to engage in armed activities, including drug trafficking and attacks on security forces. The Colombian military will likely continue to target suspected rebel camps in the coming days, as the government seeks to maintain security in the region. The international community will be watching the situation closely, as the escalation of violence raises concerns about the stability of the region.