The Colombian army yesterday launched an operation against the Central General Staff (EMS) guerrilla group that broke away from the FARC, in a region that has become an "international market for cocaine", announced President Gustavo Petro, quoted by AFP, quoted by BTA.
"After more than five years of domination over (the city of) Plateado by the EMS, which has turned the region into an international market for cocaine, the army is moving in," the president said on his account in Aix.
The operation, called "Perseo", began at dawn. The morning fighting "was intense," with the armed group using combat drones, according to army chief General Luis Cardozo, giving an initial assessment.
"It looks like they are trying to throw grenades with drones," Cardozo explained. He added that "two men were slightly injured" and asked the local population to stay in their homes.
The Colombian armed forces have deployed aircraft, artillery and armored vehicles to the region to fight the rebels. In July, the army already launched an offensive in the area after a drone attack that killed a child and injured six people.
Plateado is one of the main bastions of the EMC in the Micai Canyon region, a mountain complex rich in coca leaf plantations, a strategic area for the production of cocaine.