Two Colombian Soldiers Set on Fire During Anti-Drug Raid Operation
Two Colombian soldiers were seriously injured after being doused with gasoline and set on fire during an anti-drug raid in southeastern Colombia, the army said Wednesday.
The attack occurred as troops moved to destroy a cocaine laboratory in northern Putumayo, near the border with Ecuador. According to the military, a crowd confronted the soldiers, and “a group of civilians attacked the uniformed officers with fire to impede the procedure.”
Both soldiers were evacuated and taken to a hospital for treatment.
The army accused the Border Command, or Comandos de Frontera, a FARC dissident faction, of orchestrating the attack, saying the group coerces civilians and finances itself through cocaine production.
The faction rejected the 2016 peace accord and continues to operate along the Colombia-Ecuador border.
In a statement, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the assault, saying those responsible “are criminals and drug traffickers.” He announced a 200 million peso reward, about $49,000, for information on the attackers.
“This serious crime will not go unpunished. All of Colombia must raise its voice in rejection and condemn this crime,” he added.
