Summary
Fifty-seven soldiers in Colombia were freed by the army after being held captive by local people in the mountains. The military did not use any weapons during the operation and arrested 20 people. The incident is linked to tensions with a rebel group involved in illegal activities.
Key Facts
- Colombian soldiers were held in the Cauca region, known for rebel activity.
- The EMC rebel group is active in cocaine production and was blamed for ordering the locals to capture the soldiers.
- The soldiers were initially held after attempting to arrest a suspected rebel.
- Over 100 locals surrounded soldiers during the arrest, preventing their departure.
- A second group of soldiers was captured shortly after, involving even more locals.
- The army operation to free the soldiers resulted in 20 arrests.
- Most local residents rely economically on coca cultivation, complicating military presence.
- The area is affected by multiple armed groups and illegal activities like extortion and drug trafficking.
