Colombian military rescues 39 people adbucted by guerrillas
The Colombian military rescued 39 people on Tuesday after they were kidnapped earlier in the day by members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), the country’s last major active guerrilla group, authorities said, News.Az reports, citing Xinhua.
The civilians were traveling aboard two buses when ELN fighters stopped the vehicles at a roadblock on a highway in the northwestern department of Choco, along the route connecting the region with the city of Medellin, and abducted the passengers.
The hostages were freed later on Tuesday during a military rescue operation. The Colombian army said two soldiers were killed and five others were wounded after guerrillas detonated an explosive device during the mission.
Following their rescue, the civilians were transported by helicopter to a military base in Quibdo, the capital of Choco department.
Local media reported that those rescued included four drivers employed by the Rapido Ochoa transportation company and 35 passengers.
The ELN remains Colombia’s last major active guerrilla organization and is considered one of the most powerful illegal armed groups in Latin America. According to the InSight Crime Foundation, the group has more than 6,000 members and has expanded its operations into neighboring Ecuador.