Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella says soldiers kill a key leader of dissident factions from the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia during a military operation on Sunday. He identifies the slain man as “Felipe” or “Arcadio.” De la Espriella says the death occurs in a volatile area of the country’s southwest region and refers to it as a major setback to the dissident group.
Both outlets link the killing to ongoing security efforts targeting dissident factions that emerged after the FARC’s transition away from armed conflict. The South China Morning Post adds that the president posts a social media video that appears to show a person in connection with the operation, while the Washington Times limits its account to the president’s statement and the basic circumstances of the death. The reports do not provide additional independent details about the operation or the identity beyond the aliases given by the president.
