FARC Dissident Clashes in Colombian Amazon Kill 52 Ahead of Vote
At least 52 guerrillas died in fighting between rival factions in Guaviare, highlighting the fragility of President Petro’s peace strategy as voters head to the polls.
At least 52 guerrilla fighters were killed in clashes between rival armed groups in the Colombian Amazon, specifically in the Guaviare department near the village of Barranco Colorado. The violence erupted just days ahead of Colombia’s presidential election, which aims to elect a successor to outgoing President Gustavo Petro. A faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) involved in the fighting confirmed the death toll in a statement, describing the incident as the most violent engagement in recent months.
The fighting occurred between two dissident factions that rejected the 2016 peace agreement which demobilised the original FARC. One group is led by Nestor Gregorio Vera, known as Ivan Mordisco, while the other is commanded by Alexander Diaz Mendoza, alias Calarca Cordoba. Both leaders are vying for control of a strategic cocaine production and trafficking region. While Diaz Mendoza’s faction is currently engaged in peace talks with Petro, Vera’s group remains in conflict after the government suspended a bilateral ceasefire with the faction in 2024.
Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed the fighting on social media and announced the deployment of troops to protect the civilian population. He stated that 408,000 security force members, supported by aircraft, ships, drones, anti-drone systems, and armoured vehicles, have been deployed to ensure peaceful voting. The Army also acknowledged the engagement, though neither official provided independent verification of the specific death toll reported by the guerrilla group.
The clashes underscore the challenges facing Petro’s “total peace” strategy, a central issue in the presidential campaign. The left-wing senator leading the race, Ivan Cepeda, has vowed to continue pursuing dialogue with armed groups, while his right-wing rivals argue for a more militaristic approach to crushing the insurgents. The election is being held against a backdrop of ongoing security concerns, including murders, kidnappings, and bomb attacks across the country.
Although the FARC’s largest dissident group, the Central General Staff, announced a nationwide suspension of military operations against public forces between 20 May and 10 June, this pause did not cover confrontations with other armed groups. Rebels from the National Liberation Army (ELN) also announced a separate ceasefire ahead of the election. If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff is scheduled for 21 June.
