Deadly attacks target Colombia’s military
Government points the finger at FARC as 20 soldiers die in surge in violence in run-up to polls.
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| The weekend’s attacks, which have killed 20 soldiers, are being called the deadliest of the year [GALLO/GETTY] |
A raid believed to be conducted by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), has killed 10 Colombian soldiers in the eastern Colombian province of Arauca.
Saturday’s attack comes a week before a nationwide election on October 30, and the second in as many days.
General Alejandro Navas, commander of the Colombian military, said: “We suffered a hit early this morning from a FARC squad.”
A similar attack in the southern Narino province killed another 10 soldiers when their vehicles set off roadside explosives on Friday.
The weekend incidents are the deadliest of the year according to military officials.
FARC is known to stage attacks in the run-up to elections in the South American nation.
According to Colombia’s independent Electoral Observer Mission, at least 41 candidates have been killed in pre-election violence.
Juan Manuel Santos, the Colombian president, recently replaced the entire military command in response to continued hit-and-run attacks blamed on FARC.