Colombia’s president says soldiers killed a key dissident leader

Bogota, Colombia (AP) — Colombia's president announced on Sunday that a prominent dissident leader was killed in a military operation, describing it as a "crushing blow" to the faction. President Abelardo de la Espriella identified the slain individual as "Felipe" or "Arcadio," a key figure within the Jaime Martínez faction of the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The president posted a video on X showing a person in a body bag near seized weapons and ammunition. De la Espriella alleged that "Felipe" was responsible for multiple attacks on police stations in Valle del Cauca, using explosives dropped from drones, commanding a unit, planting explosives on roads, attacking military units, torching vehicles, and engaging in extortion.

He emphasized that any criminal who does not surrender will face a similar fate. This is not the first time de la Espriella has declared the killing of an illegal armed group leader since assuming office, as he has vowed to pursue a hardline approach against such groups, marking a shift from the previous administration's policy.