Colombian troops killed at least 12 fighters from a FARC rebel unit blamed for several high-profile attacks, including last year's kidnap and murder of a state governor, officials said today.
"This morning we carried out a successful operation against the Teofilo Forero unit; we have already 12 deaths counted," defense minister Gabriel Silva told reporters.
Troops attacked a rebel base capable of supporting 100 guerrillas in southern Caqueta province, a key corridor for cocaine smuggling, authorities said.
Better air mobility, training and intelligence have helped Colombia's armed forces retake parts of the Andean country once under the control of guerrillas and paramilitary squads who financed their operations by trafficking cocaine.
The FARC has lost several top commanders and its ranks have been weakened by desertions. But the rebel group survives in remote areas where its members have resorted to sniper attacks, ambushes and improvised landmines to harry troops.
While urban attacks, bombings and kidnappings are now rarer, authorities say fighters from the Teofilo Forero unit were responsible for snatching Caqueta State Governor Luis Cuellar at the end of last year.
Rebels blasted open the door of his home, killed a police guard and dragged the governor into a jeep waiting outside. He was later found with his throat slit.
Reuters