Colombia's president says soldiers killed a key dissident leader

President Abelardo de la Espriella announced on Sunday that a key dissident leader of the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) had been killed during a military operation. The individual, known as "Felipe" or "Arcadio", was a prominent figure in the Jaime Martinez faction and was instrumental in various criminal activities, including attacks on police stations and the use of explosives dropped from drones in the Valle del Cauca region.

De la Espriella described the leader's death as a "crushing blow" to the dissident faction and vowed to continue offensive operations against illegal armed groups. He emphasized that anyone refusing to surrender would face consequences similar to being in a body bag. De la Espriella, who recently assumed office, has adopted a tougher stance against illegal armed groups, contrasting it with his predecessor's approach.

The president also highlighted the capture of Emilio Jose Cordero Sierra, known as "Fantasma", a suspect in the exchange of cocaine for military hardware with Farc dissident groups, who is sought by the United States for extradition on terrorism and drug trafficking charges.