Colombian Soldiers Hurt in Fire Attack Amid Drug Operation

PUTUMAYO, Colombia — Two Colombian soldiers suffered serious injuries when they were set on fire during an anti-drug operation in the southeastern region on Wednesday, according to the military.

The incident took place while the soldiers were attempting to destroy a drug laboratory in a remote area of Putumayo, a department that borders Ecuador. A group of civilians reportedly attacked the uniformed officers with gasoline in an effort to stop the operation.

An army statement described the chaos, stating that a riot broke out and that the soldiers were targeted to impede their efforts. One officer and one soldier sustained severe burns and are currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital.

This attack is part of a troubling trend in Colombia, where assaults on security forces in guerrilla-controlled areas have become more frequent. The country is facing its worst security crisis in a decade, worsened by criminal groups involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and illegal mining.

The military has vowed to respond to the violence, specifically calling out the Comandos de Frontera, a dissident faction that rejected the 2016 peace agreement with the FARC guerrilla group. They are accused of orchestrating the attack and pressuring local civilians.

Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the attackers, stating they are not representatives of rural communities but rather criminals. He shared video footage of one injured victim being air-lifted for medical care.

The Comandos de Frontera are currently in peace talks with President Gustavo Petro‘s government, but progress has been limited. In February, Colombian prosecutors arrested the group’s leader, Andres Rojas, also known as Arana, facing extradition for drug-related charges.

In May, Ecuadorian authorities linked the group to an attack that killed 11 soldiers during an operation against illegal mining. The Colombian military continues to face challenges as criminal activities escalate in remote regions, with discussions with the ELN, another armed group, stalled since January.

Previous incidents have escalated tensions, including a recent explosion that wounded a dog during a military operation, which was attributed to guerrilla fighters.